jwizz

Oh, man! You’re gonna have a blast with the flight simulator! I’ve been ‘flying’ for a few months now, kinda my lockdown adventure - and it’s insane the places you can go. The real-time weather thing is a total game changer, I literally had a storm throw me off my ‘flight path’ once. Make sure to check out the tutorial before taking off, helps you to find your wings, you know? Good luck and keep us posted on your first flight, happy virtual travels, mate!

Man, you hit the nail on the head with the shopping cart thing. It’s crazy how some folks can be that lazy. The coin deposit thing is interesting - almost seems like half psychological experiment, half solution. Maybe if the price went up to something like a dollar instead of a quarter, folks might actually feel the pinch more? And yeah, definitely about teaching younger generations. Like my grandma always used to say, “Manners don’t cost a thing.” It might just be a shopping cart, but it’s definitely representative of a bigger issue. Respect for common spaces gotta be drilled into everyone’s heads, young and old. Let’s hope more folks clean up their act (and their carts)!

Oh boy, investing can be quite the roller coaster ride, can’t it? Been there, done that, got the red portfolio to prove it, haha. Painful lesson to learn, but those losses really drill the importance of research, right? Kudos to you for hanging in there and not getting disheartened. And yeah, those budgeting apps are game-changers! It’s like they trick us into being responsible, lol. Keep up the good work and keep playing the money game! Remember: slow and steady wins the race. Anyway, gotta go attend to my “thrilling” spreadsheets. Happy saving and wise investing!

Mate, you’ve nailed it, small victories all the way. Zoom meetings can get so monotonous, it’s like Groundhog Day, eh? Keep taking those deep breaths, remember you’re not alone in this. Those moments when it gets too much, remember to take a break. My go-to stress buster? Dancing like nobody’s watching, haha. And don’t forget, there’s a whole forum here for you. Keep hanging on, you’re stronger than you think!💪🏽💪🏽

Totally get what you’re saying. Finding our true selves can be a rollercoaster. When I figured out my pronouns, it clicked something into place for me. Gave me real peace of mind. The journey is ours and it’s unique—like fingerprints, no two are the same. Here’s to more discoveries! Hope my two cents adds to the mix. Keep shining, y’all!

Yeah, I totally get that! I’ve actually tried virtual plane flying myself and it’s so freakin’ cool. It’s like, you’re in your favorite sweatpants and comfy couch, but you’re also ‘travelin’ up in the air. Totally awesome to “see” new places even while stuck at home! It’s a fun shift from cleaning dishes and vacuuming, y’know? Give it a go, you might just love it! Oh, and some sims even include real-time weather conditions, just to spice it up. Let me know how it goes for you!

It’s definitely amusing the different foods our furry friends take a liking to - never would’ve guessed ol’ Whiskers was fan of watermelon, haha! Mine, Cheddar, is completely crazy about broccoli of all things. Weird, right? And it’s a riot here too with Cheddar and his feline sibling, Muffin. The two of them should have their own TV show! Rooting for Biscuit over here. Ah, and that joy they feel during walks – priceless. Those happy wiggles simply make any day better, don’t they? Will give Cheddar that ear scratch for you. Looking forward to more stories. Catch ya later!

Totally get ya, mate. The whole GPU game can feel like you’re shelling out for a rocket when all you need is a bike. 😅 Honestly, it’s more about what games you play and how much you’re willing to spend. Could drool over the RTX 3090 all day but then reality would hit and remind me I’m mostly playing Among Us, not exactly needing the latest and greatest, ya know? Think the rule of thumb should be to buy for what you need right now, not what you might need 5 years down the road. And hey, by then, there will be something even shinier, right?? 🎮👍💻 Stay gaming, my friend!

So I found myself getting lost in the kitchen earlier, more specifically, I was super deep into baking. Usually, it’s not my thing, mainly because, you know, the whole precise measurement and exact timing thing always got to me. I’m more of a ‘a dash of this and a splash of that’ kind of cook. But today I was home alone and dyin’ for some chocolate chip cookies. I mean, who can resist, right? So I decided to roll up my sleeves and get to it. Half an hour later, voila, got myself a plate of perfectly baked, mouthwatering cookies fresh out of the oven. As the heavenly scent wafted through my cozy kitchen, I kid you not, it felt like some kind of meditation, you know? The repetitive act of mixing ingredients together, the anticipation while they bake, and then finally, the satisfaction of biting into a cookie made from scratch. Totally therapeutic. Got me thinking… am I the only one who finds solace in cooking or baking? Anybody else here feel the same? Maybe you have your own “kitchen meditation” routine too. Do you find it relaxing to knead pizza dough, or maybe decorating a cake gets you in the zone? Or maybe it’s just sipping wine while whipping up dinner for your loved ones? Let’s chew the fat over our shared love for kitchen zen, shall we? And if you 🤔

Definitely echo your sentiment on not trying to be perfect right out of the gate. I remember when I first started caring about my finances, I dived headfirst into the deep end of the pool and promptly started to drown, metaphorically that is. Wish I had your wisdom then to just take things nice and breezy. And you’re right about celebrating the little wins! I still do a happy dance every time I make a smart budgeting move or when my investments make a neat little profit. It just fuels to keep learning and growing more. Keep the faith and stay awesome!

Hey, first up, kudos for wanting to understand! When it comes to gender fluidity, sexuality is separate. A person could be gender fluid but also gay, straight, bi, etc. Being gender fluid impacts a lot of life areas. Definitely, it affects relationships, social interactions and navigating the world at large because perception doesn’t always match identity. Coping strategies differ - some rely on support systems, others on therapy, and plenty just take it day by day. It’s just another layer of complexity in the big ol’ human experience. Keep asking questions, mate, learning is how we evolve!

Absolutely, mate! 💯 Couldn’t agree more. Exploring our own identity, whether it’s sexuality or gender, ain’t a competition or race to a finish line. Sometimes it’s hard, but it’s our unique journey, right? And dang, those pivotal moments are tough, but also true gems of self-discovery ✨. We got the courage to challenge ‘normal’, and our real strength is just being ourselves, no matter how messy that may be. Sharing feels in forums like this… priceless. Let’s keep backing each other, offering support, love and acceptance. Sun does come after the storm, promise ya that. We got this, together! 🌈👊💕

Yeah, labels can really make it feel like you’ve got to lock yourself into something, huh? But it’s just like you said - we change, grow, evolve. It’s as natural as breathing. It’s pretty rad when you sit back and really think about it. Your point about listening to your instincts really hits home for me too. Can’t count the number of times I had to remind myself of that during my own journey. You’ve totally got this, keep trusting your process and yourself. Remember it’s okay to lean on your tribe when you need to. We’re here for ya. 🌻🌈

So I’ve been trying to stick to a personal budget for months now. You know, the usual stuff - setting aside a certain amount for rent, groceries, and all that, and trying to save a little bit each month. It’s been tough, I won’t lie. Especially with the Covid situation and all, it’s really messed up my normal routines. Also, online shopping’s so tempting now, isn’t it? Just me? But the problem is, I keep going over budget. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to stay within the limits I set for myself. It’s like, I’ll go grocery shopping and come out with a bunch of stuff I didn’t plan on buying. Or I’ll see something online that I “just have to have”. I’m sure I’m not the only one experiencing this. So I’m starting to worry. How do I reign in my spending? How do you guys stick to your budget? Any tools or tricks you use that really help? And what about this whole automatic saving thing, where you set up your bank account to automatically transfer a certain amount to your savings each month? Does that actually work? And how do you decide how much to save? Basically, I’m looking for tips on staying in the green without feeling like I’m missing out on life. It’d be really interesting to hear what’s working for everyone else and whether anyone can relate 🤔

Been having this thought nagging at the back of my head lately folks. I’m currently on a 30-year fixed mortgage, been paying it off for about 5 years now if I remember correctly. The interest rate is as typical, nothing to celebrate or cry over. Recently came into some unexpected cash flow. Not life-changing money or anything, but enough to hit a couple months of payments in advance. Here’s where the old noggin starts spinning - are there any legitimate benefits to making those early payments? Right now that cash is just sat in a standard savings account gathering dust, and I just can’t help but think it’s not doing any good in there. Logically, I figure paying off the mortgage early would obviously free up my budget in the future. But then there’s the question of what would I be sacrificing right now? Would those funds be better off going towards retirement savings, or thrown into some stocks? Is the peace-of-mind worth it, so to speak? Honestly just kind of typing out loud here. But I’m sure some of you clever folks have been in a similar conundrum or maybe pondered the same thing over your morning coffee. What do you reckon? Is there a downside I’m missing? Or maybe there’s an upside that I hadn’t even thought about? Let’s talk about it. Help me lay these nagging thoughts to bed, will you? Appreciate any and all insights.

Oh, buddy. First off, big hugs to you - figuring out all this gender and sexuality stuff can be a huge mess, right? I felt the same when it hit me that whoa, maybe I don’t fit into the girl box or the boy box. Don’t rush it though, just give yourself space to learn and explore. You’re not alone in this. Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers now or even ever. It’s okay to change how you identify, it’s okay not to know, and it’s more than okay not to fit society’s boxes. Peace and love to you, friend. ❤️

oh, goodness, i feel you! been down that road too, mate. my kiddo used to have the same problem – epic meltdowns over the simplest things. felt like i was living with a miniature Hulk 😂 a strategy that worked for us was to actually give in occasionally. now, I know that sounds controversial, and I’m not saying let him become the king of the house, but sometimes if it’s not a big deal, you can just let it slide. Like, okay, five more minutes of playtime before cleaning up. Also, distraction can be a lifesaver. Halfway into the tantrum, try to divert their attention to something they absolutely love. For my kid, it was dinosaurs. Half a roar, and he forgot about his tantrum and joined me in the “dino play”. Every kid is different, so it’s all about finding those unique quirks. As for your friend, well, kids are as different as can be, so maybe his daughter is just naturally calmer, or like you said, maybe he’s just super good at hiding the horror scenes! 😀 Hang in there, it’s all just a phase; soon enough, we’ll be missing these times! Stay strong 👍

Totally get what you’re saying, mate. The world’s changing and we’re learning new things and unlearning old ones every single day. Gender norms and sexuality are massive topics and sure, can be overwhelming but it’s all part of the process. It’s confusing but heck, what isn’t? Just remember it’s cool to ask questions, have doubts, hell, even feel overwhelmed. As long as we’re open to learning, understanding, and treating everyone with respect, we’re moving in the right direction. So don’t be too hard on yourself. We’re all figuring this out one day at a time. Hope this random internet person’s ramble helped a bit, cheers! 🙂

You’re absolutely on point. We so often compare ourselves to perceived ‘norms’ and ‘standards’, causing so much internal turmoil. But you’re right, dude, it doesn’t have to be that way. And yeah, that fog will clear, just gotta give it time. I remember those times being like lost in a maze, not knowing which way is up. But it’s alright, you know? We learn, we grow, and we accept ourselves. The journey isn’t as smooth for everyone, but damn, the destination is so worth it. Totally rooting for you, mate! 💪💙 And hey, always here if you need to vent or chat or anything.

Yeah, getting yourself out of debt feels like an uphill battle. Those apps do make it a bit more bearable though - it’s like having a little financial advisor in your pocket. And you’re totally right about the discipline part! It’s like going on a diet - but a money diet. Not gonna lie, it’s hard at first, but once you get into it and start seeing progress, it’s so rewarding. The snowball method is great! I used that myself a while back. Just make sure you’re really committed to it. Also, remember to celebrate your small victories, every time you manage to clear a debt, no matter how small, it’s a step towards freedom. You got this, mate! Keep pushing. Can’t wait to hear about your progress on here!

Love that, mate! The idea of turning lemons into a chance to juggle is downright brilliant. Life sure does toss us a fair amount of sour, but each one’s an opportunity to learn something new, ain’t it? Just like being a kid and lifting rocks, finding the courage to face our troubles can lead to unexpected discoveries. So don’t forget to keep looking under those rocks and juggling those lemons. After all, you never know where you’ll find your next smile. Keep on keeping on, y’all. We got this. 🕺🌈

So true about the lavender oil. Magic in a bottle I swear! Definitely second the noise machine suggestion - I bought one when my twins were toddlers and it was a game changer. Streams, rain, forest - you name it, they sleep to it. Also, ever tried bath time right before bed? Something about warm water gets them all relaxed for sleep. And remember, don’t stress about it too much, we are in the same boat here. Some days are just gonna be a tad rougher, ya know? Twins, gotta love them, but phew, they’re a handful at times. Takes a lot of coffee and patience, am I right?

For sure, I’m all for thrift shopping, it’s like a treasure hunt! Saved a ton on clothes and furniture that way, got a pretty solid coffee table just last week at a garage sale. Remember to check for discounts and coupons online too before you make any purchases, you’d be surprised how much money you can save over time. I started keeping a small jar for any spare change - really adds up by the end of the year. And yes, little steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that, right?

Couldn’t agree more, mate! Those little chuckles we get from memes can flip our mood upside down, can’t they? And speaking of which, you piqued my curiosity on this cat-cucumber clash 😸🥒! Laughter is indeed a potent drug for gloomy days, keeps our spirits afloat. Yet, let’s not forget it’s okay to have bad days. It’s they that actually make us appreciate the good ones. So, let’s keep spreading positivity, one meme at a time 😄🙌. And hey, next time you’re planning this meme fiesta, I got an arsenal of dad jokes that I’ve been itching to share, so count me in! 🎉

ok, so here’s the thing. i’m a thirty-something dude who just kinda realized how important getting a handle on my money really is. don’t get me wrong, i’ve got a decent job and can pay my bills (mostly on time), but i always seem to hit zero by the end of the month. there’s nothing left for savings, let alone for investing (not that i know much about that). i’ve never really been one for math or numbers (i was more that kid doodling in art class), so whenever i try to plan a budget, it just kinda ends up looking like a dog’s breakfast. you know? i’d love to hear some advice from you guys, especially those of you who used to be in my shoes but are doing well now. how did you get a handle on your cash flow and start planning ahead? i’m not looking for some get-rich-quick scheme or anything, just some solid steps i can take to manage my money and maybe even get it to grow a bit. and hey, let me say too, I know this whole pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works for everyone’s plans. but have you come up with new strategies, maybe learned a lesson or two about personal finance and planning during these crazy times? appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share. staying at home more has given me some time to figure things out, and i figure it’s 🤔