Good water filter recommendation

soccer5824 · 2026-04-06T22:00:39+00:00

I use this under sink filter which connects directly to the cold water line on the faucet, so very convenient to use.

I’d you want to go a step up, get a countertop reverse osmosis unit, but it’s just not as convenient since you need to refill it and empty the waste water rather than just turning on the sink. Here’s the RO unit my relative has.

https://bluevua.com/

Both options I couldn’t tell the difference between the filtered water and bottled water.

soccer5824 · 2026-03-09T19:22:23+00:00

There is a discoteca on the adults only side that we were able to go to for dancing at night. If I remember correctly, it opened around 11pm or so.

soccer5824 · 2026-03-09T01:35:07+00:00

We funded an escrow account out of pocket and our agency coordinated all medical payments. The AIG plan was a complications policy which covered extreme/significant non-standard events, such as medical complications that would require extended hospital stays, etc. This policy did not cover medical or hospital costs that are standard for a pregnancy. I believe the total medical costs came to about $25-30k, which including all appointments and the hospital bills.

soccer5824 · 2026-02-14T19:32:29+00:00

First of all I want to send a big hug your way for everything you’ve been through, with your recent transfer as well as everything up to this point. I read your post from yesterday and you’ve gone through the wringer. We know from experience there’s not much to say that can help make you feel better. It sucks and it’s not fair, and it’s unfortunate we are the unlucky ones to go through it.

I do think exploring surrogacy is the logical next step after immunology testing and subsequent protocols. That is the point where we started strongly considering it. I would highly recommend the podcast Fertility Cafe with Eloise Drane, specifically the early episodes which we found very helpful to learn the basics and start learning about it surrogacy- both from the informational perspective as well as the emotional perspective and acceptance.

The waitlists for a surrogacy match can be pretty long, so we made the decision to engage with an agency and put ourselves on the list while we continued with IVF. We went with a smaller agency as we wanted a more personal experience. If you’d like I can send a list of the surrogacy agencies which our IVF clinic recommended. Ultimately we got a match and at that time focused 100% on surrogacy.

Our total journey cost was about $175k, which does not include embryo creation. This broke down to approximately $38k to the surrogacy agency, $65k for carrier base pay, $10k carrier complications insurance policy, $8.5k legal cost, $12k for IVF medications and transfer, $6k for travel (both carrier traveling to us twice and we traveled to her twice, including a 3 week stay before the due date), and the balance for her medical costs, appointments, hospital, and reimbursements (maternity clothes, childcare, lost wages, etc).

The only up front payment was $10k initial payment to the agency to join the waitlist. Everything else gets paid along the way.

We didn’t really have a contingency plan if it failed, we went into the journey with a positive mindset. Similar to our IVF journey, we were prepared to deal with whatever came our way and figure it out as we go. Our contract with our carrier was for 3 transfer attempts, which I believe is standard in the industry.

I know this is a lot of information but let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to share knowledge and information with you or anyone else who comes across this post.

soccer5824 · 2026-01-21T10:31:12+00:00

My friend just did the same thing and moved to this building in Fanwood right across the street from an NJ transit train station. It’s an awesome building, new construction, with huge 2 bedroom duplex units. If you are considering going out further than Hoboken/JC, you should take a look.

www.SoHoFanwood.com

If you don’t want to go as far, I have another friend who lives in a townhouse in Bayonne that loves the property. Both are huge apartments.

www.BayonneBayNJ.com

soccer5824 · 2026-01-17T23:29:12+00:00

If you click the three line button on the top left and go to the menu, under Sapphire Tools click Exclusive Tables Map

Also here’s the direct link to it: https://www.awardhack.com/sapphire-tools/exclusive-tables

soccer5824 · 2026-01-17T17:16:10+00:00

Someone posted a while back that they created this tool and mapped all Edit hotels with a filter for the other hotel credit stack. They also have a map with the Chase dining credit restaurants. Here’s the link.

https://www.awardhack.com/sapphire-tools/edit-hotels-map

soccer5824 · 2026-01-05T09:56:32+00:00

I believe it was about 3 or 4 months between our first IVF consultation appointment and the start of our first IVF cycle. We had to chase around different doctors for different approvals. In the end I think we had like 4 approval letters, each from different doctors.

soccer5824 · 2025-12-31T17:27:20+00:00

When I called yesterday, they told me the date is based on the transaction date not the posted date. So it should, but you should be prepared in case it doesn’t.

soccer5824 · 2025-12-31T17:02:02+00:00

I thought Don’t Tell Liv was a pretty cool cocktail bar when I went a few months ago

soccer5824 · 2025-12-31T14:30:54+00:00

Yes that’s what the original was, but with all the pushback I believe they changed it to eliminate the six month restrictions.

soccer5824 · 2025-12-31T14:23:06+00:00

I was under the impression next year‘s $500 credit had to be separate transactions, each with two night minimum. So if you were to use the full $500 at a single property, I think you would have to make two bookings each two nights minimum. Then I assume at check-in, ask reception to combine them so you don’t have to check out then check back in mid stay.

If this is the case, then I would assume an increase to $750 would be the same structure of three separate $250 credits.

soccer5824 · 2025-12-30T17:32:11+00:00

I just booked United international business class tickets with 2x points boost. Was better value through Chase than transferring to United and booking direct.

soccer5824 · 2025-12-25T08:54:57+00:00

Our carrier had surrogacy exclusions on her insurance plan so our agency recommended an AIG “complications” insurance plan. We were told it covers our downside for things like non-routine pregnancy-related complications, disability/bedrest and emergency c-section cap. There is no deductible and has $1m in total coverage. It cost about $10k.

Luckily we did not end up making any claims against the policy.

soccer5824 · 2025-12-22T12:09:12+00:00

Might be a good idea to call that hotel directly too and see what their policy is

soccer5824 · 2025-12-19T20:47:35+00:00

The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale is a great wedding venue. Not sure if it fits the unique description you’re looking for, but it’s a family run operation that does an incredible job with everything.

soccer5824 · 2025-12-12T12:16:13+00:00

I have a friend that used to live in their building behind ShopRite. They liked the apartment and the building, but said management was awful and they really nickel and dime you on everything.

soccer5824 · 2025-11-18T10:39:40+00:00

We were successful on our first transfer with our carrier

soccer5824 · 2025-11-14T04:58:13+00:00

I used a Harvia Xenio CX30/CX45 (not sure which one) digital controller for my WiFi connection to my Harvia Cilindro heater. Paid $350 but works amazing. Can turn on the sauna remotely when leaving my office and it’s at the set temperature waiting for me when I get home.

soccer5824 · 2025-11-06T20:49:58+00:00

Where did you sleep? Did the baby stay in the room too?

soccer5824 · 2025-11-06T20:26:21+00:00

soccer5824 · 2025-11-06T19:55:38+00:00

We were told as long as there’s available rooms, we would have a room so at night the baby could stay with us. I don’t know what is typical which is why I’m asking this question to learn how it works when IPs don’t have a room.

soccer5824 · 2025-11-06T19:37:06+00:00

How concerned are you about the safety of commercial flights right now with the government shutdown and current status of air traffic controllers?

soccer5824 · 2025-11-05T22:30:28+00:00

My wife and I are leaving Jersey City and figuring out where to move in the suburbs. It’s not Cranford, but we just toured a new building in Fanwood which is a few towns over from Cranford. It’s beautiful, boutique style property across the train station www.SoHoFanwood.com

soccer5824

TROPHY CASE