Blow That Dough 2026

[TickTock]

We bought a hospital-quality bed for a family member who is living with us and requires full-time care.

 

[G POP]

Spent the majority of it in 2025 but the trip is next month. New Zealand, Tasmania, 8 other stops in Australia and finishes up in Bali. Viking cruise. Nonstop Seoul to Dulles business class to finish up the trip. Over 40K all in.

 

[audreyh1]

Thanks for starting the 2026 BTD thread!

 

[Koolau]

We bought a hospital-quality bed for a family member who is living with us and requires full-time care.

View attachment 61047

Oh, my! I hope it's more comfortable than the Hospital beds at Queens Hospital. I'm convinced they are intentionally uncomfortable to increase patients' desire to leave as soon as possible.

One size fits all means no one actually fits. Worst is the recline feature. They always catch me in the wrong spot on my back - but I'm whining now.

All the best to you as you care for your loved one. I hope you receive a star in your heavenly crown for your efforts. Blessings.

 

[Koolau]

Oh, and we just dropped $3600 for two reclining chairs that supposedly turn into a bed. The last straw for our old, worn-out recliners was when I recently had to spend two nights sleeping in one due to displaced ear crystals causing vertigo.

 

[Texas Proud]

We bought a hospital-quality bed for a family member who is living with us and requires full-time care.

View attachment 61047

Did this for my mom when she went to memory care... bought the expensive mattress..

It was great... they could lift her up to do things if needed and lower her down so she would not fall out of bed... they would not allow those side handles though... someone told me state law but who knows..

 

[Koolau]

Did this for my mom when she went to memory care... bought the expensive mattress..

It was great... they could lift her up to do things if needed and lower her down so she would not fall out of bed... they would not allow those side handles though... someone told me state law but who knows..

Yeah, some states are funny about any kind of restraint. The old baby-with-the-bath-water issue I guess.

 

[folivier]

It really hurts when you find out the nursing home has restrained your dad to keep him from falling out of bed.

 

[Koolau]

It really hurts when you find out the nursing home has restrained your dad to keep him from falling out of bed.

I suppose it depends on what kind of restraint. Bed rails - not so much.

 

[Surewhitey]

Going camping with my guys in Carpinteria, Cali next week... DW is off to Mexico with sisters.

 

[street]

Going camping with my guys in Carpinteria, Cali next week... DW is off to Mexico with sisters.

Stay out of jail but have fun!!

 

[ncbill]

I suppose it depends on what kind of restraint. Bed rails - not so much.

If the resident is a t risk if falling out of bed then the mattress should be on the floor.

That's a lot safer than using bed rails.

But a lot more work for caregivers...

 

[Dtail]

Stay out of jail but have fun!!

Jail could be a bit worse in Mexico.

 

[mh]

Going camping with my guys in Carpinteria, Cali next week... DW is off to Mexico with sisters.

weather is pretty good here at the moment - enjoy !

 

[Surewhitey]

weather is pretty good here at the moment - enjoy !

Staying with a buddy in the hills of Woodland Hills before & after, so close by...we used to live @ Canoga and Ventura.

 

[mh]

Staying with a buddy in the hills of Woodland Hills before & after, so close by...we used to live @ Canoga and Ventura.

if you are staying at the state beach campground. brewLab is in walking distance (if you like that kind of thing) they usually have good food trucks too (thurs/fri/sat)
brewLAB – Experimental Craft Brewery
their site certificate is messed up. but it's them

 

[audreyh1]

Added the Scottish Highlands extension to our 2026 Ancient Isles cruise. Pretty dear for 4 days but looks awesome.

 

[Koolau]

If the resident is a t risk if falling out of bed then the mattress should be on the floor.

That's a lot safer than using bed rails.

But a lot more work for caregivers...

Yeah, I can't even imagine sleeping on a mattress on a floor - heh, heh, I've done it, though, and NO mattress - long story.

Much prefer bed rails, but that's just me.

 

[Jerry1]

Just bought a new iPhone 17. Gave up my 13mini as it was getting old and the battery was at 80%. Definitely could have kept it a few more years, but I kept it longer than other phones and what can I say, I got the itch and blew some dough.

Tried to get DW to let me replace her phone, a 15 pro, which is actually damaged, but she wasn’t budging. She’ll need a good deal before she spends the money. I admire her patience but I wouldn’t go a day with a broken phone. Her rear facing camera has a broken lens so she can no longer use the zoom.

 

[street]

Just bought a new iPhone 17. Gave up my 13mini as it was getting old and the battery was at 80%. Definitely could have kept it a few more years, but I kept it longer than other phones and what can I say, I got the itch and blew some dough.

Tried to get DW to let me replace her phone, a 15 pro, which is actually damaged, but she wasn’t budging. She’ll need a good deal before she spends the money. I admire her patience but I wouldn’t go a day with a broken phone. Her rear facing camera has a broken lens so she can no longer use the zoom.

That a boy Jerry1, spend some of that moldy money. Lol

 

[RobLJ]

Received the credit card bill for 1st class to Manchester for the May Coast to Coast England hike. I think we pay off the booking agency (Mac Adventures) next month. The airline tickets are a bit more expensive than the 17 day hike bookings.

 

[Luvtoride]

Spent the majority of it in 2025 but the trip is next month. New Zealand, Tasmania, 8 other stops in Australia and finishes up in Bali. Viking cruise. Nonstop Seoul to Dulles business class to finish up the trip. Over 40K all in.

G POP, that is awesome! That’s exactly what this topic is about…as well as the “Die with Zero” philosophy! Enjoy the trip.

 

[OldConch]

Received the credit card bill for 1st class to Manchester for the May Coast to Coast England hike. I think we pay off the booking agency (Mac Adventures) next month. The airline tickets are a bit more expensive than the 17 day hike bookings.

We used Mac's for walks through the Scottish Highlands in May 2022 and the Cotswolds in May of 2024. Nice time of year (no midges) and we were very pleased with the service.

FYI, look carefully at your itinerary. We choose 7days/8nights for the 96 miles West Highland Way thinking roughly 14 miles per day was doable. Didn't realize until we had already started that one day was only 8 miles and one was 20. The 20 mile day was spent in large part scrambling along the rocky shore of Loch Lomond and we barely made the last ferry across to our accommodations in Ardlui. Have to admit it was more challenging than expected and we chose a more relaxed pace through the Cotswolds.

Safe travels! Hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[OldConch]

We use points and miles for our long-haul flights. Since they cover most of the cost of the flights we can reallocate the savings for more and better travel. Three across-ocean trips this year will take us to Italy, Romania, China and Taiwan. We'll combine time on our own in hotels and AirBnB's with small group tours.

Total for the five tours with Intrepid and G Adventures in 2026 - $48k. Add in an $11k cruise in the NCL Epic Haven out of San Juan next month and about the same for an UnCruise out of Kona in April and the total is more than my base pay teaching my last year in 2016.

 

[Buckeye]

Added the Scottish Highlands extension to our 2026 Ancient Isles cruise. Pretty dear for 4 days but looks awesome.

You'll love the Highlands!