gdp's Comments

http://theshubox.com/ : belated weekend report: simplicity edition

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 20:32:17 +0000

I think unstructured play gets easier as kids get older. However with younger kids, sometimes unstructured play ends up being me chasing them around and telling them to get off the table. Recently we've started scheduling outings more often and it seems to help reduce meltdowns and boredom.

http://theshubox.com/ : Weekend, unplugged

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 17:01:22 +0000

I keep getting sucked into digital time-sucks. I am not on Facebook or Twitter but then I get sucked into playing games on my phone or Pinterest. I like to read and comment on blogs if possible, too. I check emails way too often. I can't believe now that before smartphones, I didn't log on the computer on weekends and didn't check emails!

http://theshubox.com/ : Thoughts

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 20:18:24 +0000

I've embraced the FB - free life, but I'm not sure I can go blog-free or internet-free.

http://theshubox.com/ : Review: I Know How She Does It

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:28:57 +0000

I was planning on reading this book and I regularly read Laura's blog. Your comment that she has ideas about "using built-in flexibility at work without necessarily asking for it" makes me want to get this sooner rather than later. I know a lot of talk about flexibility at work is limited because it targets those who are more in power at their jobs. However, for those w/o big titles, using built-in flexibility at work is one of the key ways to find extra time.

http://theshubox.com/ : Not-so-simple living

Fri, 15 May 2015 17:19:27 +0000

To me, minimalism and frugality are very different things. Minimalism is not focusing on de-cluttering and not accumulating STUFF. That can save you money or it can mean you bought a beautiful new iMac because you don't want to clutter your space. It can mean getting an expensive smartphone that you also use as an alarm, music player, fitness tracker, calendar etc.. I think it does "allow" you to easily justify spending on experiences as well. I'm not knocking one or the other since we have to be frugal to support a family of 4 in a high cost of living area. I guess what I'm saying that both being minimalist and being frugal has its place in life.

I Pick Up Pennies : Christmas is coming and so's my mom! And maybe a baby!

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 17:28:27 +0000

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. I'm glad you're taking progesterone supplements. I've heard good things about taking them in cases similar to yours.

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : How do you decide where to live?

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 21:26:32 +0000

Family proximity is the primary reason for living where we are. But I also like SoCal culture/weather/diversity/foods so it's a good place for us right now, even if cost of living is high.

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Mega commutes: painful but (somewhat) avoidable?

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:43:55 +0000

I made the long drive sacrifice for many, many years -- partially due to low rent and nice neighborhood. However, once the kids came along, we traded our idyllic suburban neighborhood to move to a denser area, near my job and my family. It isn't our ideal area but I LOVE having the shorter commute.

I Pick Up Pennies : The stupid lure of free shipping

Thu, 3 Jan 2013 18:49:12 +0000

Free shipping gets me too. Not too long ago, I bought something on Amazonand was $5 off from free shipping. Luckily I was able to find something I actually needed to buy (gift) so I didn't order something, but I admit that it took me a while to find the right priced item!

I Pick Up Pennies : Flame war, party of two!

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:30:36 +0000

Just wanted to throw in my support. I learned about your flame war via your mom's blog. I used to read Financial Samurai among many other pfbloggers. I stopped because many pf bloggers who focus on wealth-building tend to very un-empathetic. Here's my detailed take on why I stopped reading most finance blogs. http://oilandgarlic.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/why-...

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Honeymoon Spending Summary

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:13:10 +0000

Everyone should go to Argentina! I think the exchange rate for dollars/euros is still quite favorable. A little goes a long way!

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Help a 23-Year Old Reader Move Out & Set a Budget

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:03:55 +0000

I think living in a decent, more central area was really important for me in my 20s; I later moved further out when I got older and didn't care so much about proximity to restaurants and clubs. WIth Groupon, Yelp, happy hour, art walks, free museum days, etc.. there are lots of ways to enjoy Los Angeles for less. I would try to bring my lunch 3x a week and learn to cook so that eating out isn't always more appealing. Best of luck!

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Are You an Abstainer or a Moderator?

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:18:20 +0000

Husband is moderator. I'm an abstainer. Sigh... I do like to do things in moderation but I find that I tend to spend/splurge and unless I make it a real habit of not doing something, I go down that slippery slope quite easily.

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Fess Up Friday: 5 Personal Finance Topics I'm Over

Fri, 6 Apr 2012 18:17:56 +0000

1. Agree 2. I buy used but I can see both sides. Just be aware of finance charges! 3. My peeve. Fashion as investment. You really don't know the ROI until you have it. I know many many people who buy high-end purses etc. and still don't use it that much and then buy another one the next season. 4.I hate hoarders. Some say they donate or give to friends/family. But it's unfair to the stranger who did spend the time to look at coupon sites, made the trip, and then find everything is gone because someone had to hoard 100 cans of X item. 5. Never thought of that. Interest rates are so low!

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Going on Vacation When You Are In Debt

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 23:19:13 +0000

I would go. At the same time, I've known people who go on those "once in a lifetime" trips and then spend years paying it off one way or another. In other words, that $11,000 trip will cost more because you're not really paying it in full. However, even if it saves you $1,000, maybe reduce your time in Quito and don't count the camera expense as trip expense. Can you use points or rewards? I once bought airplane tickets and applied some reward points that shaved $250 off the flight cost. Small change but every bit helps.

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Financially Ready To Have Kids?

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:43:52 +0000

I had kids way too late.. No one told me about declining energy levels, never mind all the risks of being an old mom in terms of increased chances of having disabled kids or health issues. Well, maybe people mentioned it but I didn't pay any attention. Anyway, to me, being mentally ready and physically capable are more important than finances, but finances/stability make life with baby or babies much easier.

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : My First Car Accident

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 14:57:01 +0000

My first accident was pretty much exactly the same as yours! I, too ,was changing channels on the radio. I learned to keep my distance especially in crowded traffic conditions.

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Giveaway Contest: $50 Gift Card to NOVICA

Tue, 9 Aug 2011 18:14:59 +0000

Wonderful site. I wish they had baby stuff. I would use the $50 to buy one of the beautiful handbags from Brazil (couldn't decide which one). They were more than $50 though!

: My Drain is Clogged. WTF Do I Do?

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:24:57 +0000

We bought one a little plastic snake-thing that sells on late night TV and at Rite Aid (drugstores). It's some cheap plastic tube but it usually does the trick so that we don't even have to go the chemical route.

Well-Heeled, With a Mission : Don't Forget Domestic Travel

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:04:44 +0000

So many places, so little time. Thanks for the reminder about domestic vacations. Now that i have kids, international trips are sort of off-the-table for a while and I want to weep, but there are cool places to see stateside. Off the top of my head, my list are: 1) Alaska 2) New Orleans 3) Kentucky 4) New York 5) Yellowstone Park 6) Napa valley I'm in California and there are many great places within driving distance so I feel lucky. You can drive from the beach to the mountains to the desert in a few hours time.