Recent content by tb001

My grandfather was technically my step grandfather, but he was all I ever knew and I loved him as a true grandpa. For those of you with step grandkids, unless they’re much older when you come into their lives, they really do see you as the full deal!

CA. Our home value has gone up by a lot. I was worried last year that given construction costs we would be underinsured. But the majority of the cost is driven by fire risk.

We are definitely the losers so far. Our homeowners insurance alone went from ~4K in 2018 to 8k in 2020 (we switched providers, but similar rates) and this year they’re quoting 13k. One of the only places still insuring homes in our area, so I think we’re going to have to suck it up and pay.

We went on cal-cobra after being on cobra for the maximum period. Note that any dental or optical coverage you may have been receiving through a cobra plan will be dropped. Somehow I missed that and it makes the cal-cobra price not nearly as good. Other that it was pretty much like being on...

Given the availability of low cost providers, that’s remarkable. DH and I both switched to low cost providers and so far it’s been good. For yogurt, it’s amazing easy to make and much less expensive, if you’re inclined.

Topped $100 filling up my tank today. $6.75 for premium at a new to me station. I usually go to Costco and rarely put gas in the tank, so I don’t know if that was unusually expensive or that’s just the new normal here.

Add us to the list of vaxed and boosted with covid. DD picked it up at school and it’s taken the whole family down. DH has been the sickest I’ve ever seen him, despite getting his second booster at the end of April. Both kids down. Thankfully it was the end of school and I’m not working, so...

I just did a total double take. Is your swimming pool costs per week?? We pay less than that in SoCA for the top of the line service offering with a complex pool, spa and fountain! We have a great pool guy who has offered to service our pool for about half the charge if we work directly through...

I bought from Costco. In stock and delivered to my door within 48 hrs. But I was limited on specs. The model I wanted was a month wait and $700 more from apple. I figure the upgrades would have probably bought me an extra two years, so probably not worth the extra $$.

I came in to say dental, since it’s what I forgot when I did my first budget. Other things that are pushing us up: switching costs of moving and getting the new house where we want it, unexpected expenses with kids, and tree costs, as others have mentioned. We pay a landscaper to do most of...

We semi-retired end of last year. Our rate is 3.5%. It would be lower without a fixed rate mortgage that accounts for about 10% of our spend. I think I calculated 3.28%. This is on a 45 year retirement assuming no downsizing.

After purchasing in February, we finally had our new sleep number bed delivered and set up last week. So far, it’s been an adjustment, to say the least. We bought one with an adjustable frame with lots of bells and whistles. That part we love. DH is breathing so much better at night just being...

Meh. This isn’t a gen Z problem, it’s a consumer problem. And given no finance charges on the installment payments, I don’t really see an issue with it. Way better than kids/adults racking up big cc debt at high interest rates like I did.

We bought a sleep number in February. It will be delivered on Friday. It was ridiculously expensive so it better be worth it. We’ve been sleeping on an 11 yr old beauty rest that developed an awful sag maybe 4-5 yrs in. Though I measured it at over an inch, they wouldn’t replace it under...

Is this second training the end or are there more in sight? And what will their lives look like if he actually gets the job he’s training for? I can’t imagine it’s significantly easier. Like others, I’m confused about whether your daughter is home or not. From your post it sounds like three...