This question gets people RILED UP. Darling, in America we have no class system, you know that. :P
There's a very interesting book that's now pretty dated but gives a solid foundation on this topic called "Class" A guide through the American Status System by Paul Fussell. Read it for an eye opening look into how it is!
He points out that things like no white after Labor Day and similar strictures (I was raised to believe that patent leather is not worn by polite society, or that pierced ears on children are vulgar, for example) are part of a class system that places people with nothing but time to drift around the globe in search of sport and leisure at the top. So naturally you wouldn't wear white after Labor Day as you're now in moving on to Eden Roc and tennis season is over or whatever :P
However that's high WASP preppy. That's not the only kind of "wealthy" there is! Plenty of people who are genuinely mind bogglingly rich wear flashy clothes and have diamond encrusted watches and so on.
Fussell also points out that there's a class that's beyond class: artists and the children of movie stars, the hyper-wealthy service class people (like let's say "energy workers" who work with the stars) or trustafarian types. Those people wear ironic brands and pad around first class cabins in bare feet with no bra (the book was written in like 1983).
Fascinating read.
Start solving problems on LeetCode. 800 problems is enough to clear an Amazon, Microsoft, or Apple interview. 1200 is enough to clear Google or Facebook.
Referrals help for Google/Facebook. You can beg for referrals from Blind. Blind is also good for general software engineering career advice.
SWEs from non-traditional backgrounds are welcome. However, if you are from a bootcamp people will look down on you. I think this has more to do with the aggressive and annoying marketing of bootcamps than with the actual quality of bootcamp grads though.
First OP I've really loved in a while, I also don't have a lot of friends but I do have a lot of death anxiety! It really kicked in during the pandemic, as a lot of people's did. Wellbutrin was life-changing for my intrusive death thoughts, as was this book by Greg Taylor. https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Worrying-There-Probably-Afterlife-ebook/dp/B00GBLRNTS Everyone is welcome to their own interpretations of death, but this calmed me. Good luck OP!
I had a very similar experience. This also really resonated with me - " When my savings account hit a certain amount, I felt more secure — for three days. Then I was stressing about the next financial milestone...".
It also reminds of the "burnout generation" article and Audible original. They talk about how millennials are trying to actively project manage their lives and I think that's exactly what I'm trying to do with goals and to-do lists. Basically the to-do list of just existing is never-ending and checking off the boxes feels futile because you're never done.
The article made me feel like maybe I need a mindset shift toward aligning my time/efforts toward my priorities vs questing for infinite self-improvement.
https://www.amazon.com/Candle-Warmers-Ceramic-Warmer-Chevron/dp/B00IG4HE8I
This is the one I got and I love it! You can either set entire jars on top to melt or put wax in the tray. I use some little glass bowls I have in addition to the wax tray so I can rotate without actually taking the melted wax out of the tray if I want to switch the scent quick.
I have found the best way to get wax out of candles is to put the whole thing in the freezer for a day or two (or a few weeks when I forget they’re in there), remove from the freezer, scrape around the wax with a butter knife, and pop the whole thing out. For some reason, the wax comes out easier when it’s frozen. Then I portion my various waxes into sandwich bags by scent until I’m ready to use them. :)
OP, you should consider getting a sunlight alarm clock! I'm sure it'd help your body adjust to waking up, given that you have the blackout curtains, plus it'd make sure you don't have to worry about your phone running out of battery overnight. I have this one.
Amazing!!! Getting goosebumps reading it.
Also good for you on playing it cool!!! That’s the best way to handle it...
There’s a great book about some of this from Cathy Black - Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307351130/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Kc.2FbECBR5RB
One of the better books I read abt not selling yourself short. I bought it for all my gf for our 35th bdays
Hijacking this thread a little bit to ask: does anyone use a kneeling desk chair like this? My hips ache and I’ve tried these before but I’m worried I won’t like it for more than a day or two.
Have you ever tried the pomodoro method? It's named for those tomato shaped kitchen timers. Basically, you're gamifying your productivity - you set a timer for 25 minutes ("a pomodoro") and you set 1 task to complete in that time (if you have a bunch of really short tasks, you can group them). Once the timer is started, it has to go off - no ending the pomodoro early. After each pomodoro, you record what you completed and take a 5 minute break. After 4 pomodoros and their respective breaks (2 hours), you get a 10-15 minute break.
There are plenty of apps for this, and a more comprehensive guide here. I personally am not good at using it every single day, but it is really good to jumpstart me back into productivity when I start to feel unmotivated for long stretches. It's also a good way to organize my time when I have too many things and get paralyzed trying to do them all at once.
I also just typed pomodoro way more times than I ever have before.
You are definitely not alone - good luck OP!
Roberta's was DOPE. Lived up to the Pizza Show 100%. That show is dangerous though because it not only makes me crave pizza, but all different styles too.
For the resort fee, I blame the booking website I used. I will NEVER use hotels.com again. Extremely bait and switchy, not up front about terms, no free cancellation or room change for any period of time after booking, and HORRIBLE customer service for someone who had been a repeat customer. Going back to booking.com.
And last! What county are you in? I live in a shore town in Monmouth. Expensive property taxes but soooo worth it being a 10 minute bike ride from the beach!
Food for sure! It is super hard to find time to make any food after the baby is born.
I've also appreciated the books we've received as gifts. Definitely do not send clothes or blankets unless you know the parents actually want those.
OH and this is the single best thing we got as a gift: https://www.amazon.com/BabyBum-Diaper-Cream-Brush-Blue/dp/B00LYQ53JW. It seemed super useless at the time but it is amazingly handy for applying cream. (It also has 5000+ reviews and a 5-star rating, which seems appropriate).
I totally relate to that R29 article about New Year's Resolutions - I think most resolutions are often rooted in some form of self-loathing, trying to "correct" a perceived flaw and magically become perfect, so much self-shame if you don't attain them. It always makes me sad - what a rough way to start a year, constantly beating yourself up for not being an imagined version of yourself!
I'm not really a resolutions person but I like to see the change of the year as an opportunity to re-prioritize. 2020 was a hard year for me - I saw the true colours of many friends and didn't like what I saw. I wasted a ton of time and energy on these bad friends - either in conversation with them, trying to convince them to change, or in private, my mind constantly circling around the friendship, around them, around the hurt and betrayal.
In 2021 we're focusing on who matters. No more wasting time on crummy, thoughtless friends, wistfully hoping they could become a different person. I want to focus my energy on my friends who did show up, who've been supportive and present. They're so much more deserving.
My planner of choice is a Notion board now, but if you like a paper planner I was a Passion Planner devotee for many years!
Income limit is based on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) - I found this handy table that shows how much you can contribute if you are between the phase-out and max incomes: https://www.schwab.com/ira/roth-ira/contribution-limits#:~:text=If%20you%20file%20taxes%20as,208%2C000%20for%20the%20tax%20year
Here is an article from Upwork about the most in-demand skills on their site. Most are related to Web design/development, so that’s likely a good place to start. I recommend Free Code Camp. I took one of their courses, and they are really really awesome, plus you get a certificate at the end that you can add to your LinkedIn profile or something. That resource will teach you a ton of the skills that are on the list in that Upwork article, including HTML/CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, React, and Python. It’s really comprehensive, and is a good place to start so that you can start building a portfolio.
Edit: just saw your comment where you dont want to learn coding, but if you want to freelance then you don’t really have a choice at this point
I bullet journal (not the artsy kind; the original kind + some cute dog stickers to make myself smile). Currently using an A&O A5 dotgrid but I find it a bit too precious for my daily use - it’s SO pretty and the pages are SO wonderfully thick that I feel bad using it and beating it up, which is not the point! It’s really great if you want to do art in your journal though.
I am going to finish using this one - I’m about 3/4 of the way through - and then I have a nice-but-slightly-less-nice jumping fox dot grid I am excited to start using because the fox logo is sooooo cute.
We got really basic hydrocolloid patches (like these medpride ones). With nodular/cystic acne it isn't as dramatic of results compared to whiteheads and already popped but I usually get something out. Also, it takes at least two hours for me to see anything and sometimes I needed multiple rounds (I let the spots breathe at least 12 hours if not more in between). I do think I see the biggest difference in that it keeps me from picking or trying to "help the process along" so things heal faster.
Yes I do! I usually brush her teeth 4-5 times a week. She loves the taste of the toothpaste and I started out very slowly getting her used to it. I've had her for a year now and now that she's very comfortable with me she doesn't mind at all! And at her vet visit earlier this year the vet said a dental cleaning wasn't necessary since her teeth were so clean, so it's definitely worth it! Same thing with cutting her nails, since she loves treats I just put a handful in front of her and while she's distracted eating, I will quickly cut her nails. She is an indoor only cat! :)
What non-service subscriptions do you have?
How is your workplace handling rising COVID cases? Postponing "back to office" plans, return to wfh?
How do you keep track of your schedule? Paper planner, Outlook calendar, Google calendar..?
I had it in Notion, so here you go! I was using the Notes column to put in links of the things I liked, then when I purchased it, I just put in where I purchased it from.
Hey there!
Congrats on getting to a place where you want to invest! Everyone has given great advice on 401k, RothIRAs, and retirement savings. For your emergency fund (3-6 months of living expenses) and any other savings you want in the next 5-10 years (like a down payment on a place) use a High Yield Savings Account, because it helps your savings make you money, so you don't lose money as inflation rises each year (and you can access it at any time). I use Ally, which gives me 2.2% back annually. AKA, if you have $10,000 in savings that makes you $220 a year, instead of just sitting in your bank making you 20 cents.
If you're looking beyond just investment accounts, consider opening a brokerage account with Vanguard or Fidelity (that's a fancy name for an investment account). I use the 3 index fund method that I actually learned about from r/personalfinance. Here's the link to what that is and why it works. I only invest $200 a month, but I personally like it more than Ellevest (a wonderful service!), because the fees are lower, and it's really easy to do on your own! I am personally invested in the following funds with Vanguard: Total Stock Market Index, Total International Stock Index, Growth Index. Hope this helps!
I might be a little late, but take a look at Buffer. All of their salaries are public, and they use a formula based on role, experience, and location to calculate salary. It doesn’t have equity information, but it does cover every role at Buffer!
It's kind of tangential, but I'd recommend checking out the book Deep Work by Cal Newport. He talks a lot about the need for downtime and quiet time.
No pants but I love these dresses off Amazon. They have pockets!! It made me feel like I wasn’t wearing PJs and if I had to be on video just throw on a cardigan and I was professional.
Edit: plus they have coupons all the time for like 20% off
We get these and refills at Walmart. They were amazing while we were puppy training. :)
I pretty much stopped wearing makeup at the beginning as we never used video chat at my job, just phone calls. Since I joined a new company in January, I’m on Teams calls allllll day and had to pick it up again, but my routine has been pared down from pre-pandemic levels.
Scotty is so cute! Instead of a lint roller, you might want to check this out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BAGTNAQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works SO much better than a lint roller!! I have 2 cats and it's super quick/easy!
Sorry about the tax situation. I can understand how it may feel like you're not moving forward, but I think you're doing great!
I got this one! I had my eye on more expensive ones but I didn't want to spend too much on something I hadn't tried yet. Its actually been really great so far!
Now standing desk I can help with a bit! I got this (paid by my employer, to be fair) a couple years ago: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZ526J4/ It doesn't work well for several monitors or peripherals (at the time I had 2 monitors plus laptop, desk phone, etc. all on my desk and needing to raise/lower), but works great for smaller setups!
This is the one I got and it fits perfectly under my couch. Since we don't really have people over right now, my roommate and I have decided that it's fine to leave it next to the couch. When we have people over, I slide it under the couch and you can't even tell. I try to walk about 4 miles each work day which is roughly 8000 steps. Since there are days where I literally don't leave the house, it's been amazing.
I just read The Little Book of Hyge. It is all about how the Danish and how they manage to be ranked the “happiest country” despite its harsh winters. Basically the answer is LOTS of Candles.
Not OP, but I got a kitten over lockdown! We don’t have room in our apartment’s bathroom for a litter box, so it’s in our living room. We have a top-loading litter box that doesn’t look like a standard litter box. We also use Pretty Litter, which on top of monitoring your cat’s urinary health, has anti-stink properties. We scoop immediately after our cat poops and “aerate” the litter according to the instructions: raking the litter top-to-bottom, then side-to-side. Absolutely zero problems with smell and minimal litter tracking! Visitors don’t even know it’s a litter box.
I have this spin bike. It's been replaced by a newer model now that's $299. I just find youtube videos of rides and do it that way. I also have spin shoes, I would highly recommend them if you go the spin bike route.
I went with the V8 Animal Cord-Free one (https://www.amazon.com/Renewed-Dyson-Animal-Cord-Free-Sprayed/dp/B0846G932V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=dyson+vacuum&qid=1599168116&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzSEs4NUlJVUwwTTFIJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwM...) If you have carpet, it wouldn't be a good option, but is amazing on my hardwood floors!
Lunch at work is purely utilitarian meal for me - something to stave off hunger and provide a boost through the afternoon without being heavy enough to make me sleepy/lazy/lethargic. I usually pack a big salad that I can eat while sitting at my desk. Before covid when I was going in regularly, I prepped them all on Sunday so I could just grab a container in the morning to stuff in my lunch box along side a piece of fruit and some crackers and hummus. I paced them in these to keep everything fresh: https://www.amazon.com/Sistema-Container-Freezer-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00NG4UWUU/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=sistema+salad+containers&qid=1671547586&sprefix=sistema+salad%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-8
I usually did a mix of romaine, spinach, and cabbage in the bottom and a variety of veggies (red peppers, radishes, red or spring onion, carrots, etc.) in the top along with a bean (garbanzo, black, pinto), and a grain (farro, leftover rice, barely). Dressing in the little cup to keep it contained. When you're ready to eat you jut dump everything into the main container and shake it up to mix and then it's easy to eat while still working at my desk.
If you're working in a cubicle, a button that shows whether you're busy/on a Zoom/Teams call. That way you don't get interrupted if someone walks by your desk to talk to you.
Good headphones with noise cancellation - awesome if you get easily distracted. I like these Sony WH1000MX4 headphones and they're on sale for Black Friday.
I'm so sorry. I updated the link on the original post, but here is the correct link:
https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Lori-L-Jackson-ebook/dp/B0B6RYB1C9
When you click on the link, look to the right and it should say : Kindle price $0.00. Buy now with 1-click.
Thanks so much for letting me know. :)
I hope you enjoy it.
Hi everybody. i posted a retirement money diary back in May. Part of that diary discussed my then upcoming novel which has now been published.
Some of you expressed interest in reading my book. Below is the link to Amazon. You can get a copy of it for free between now and Friday. i hope you enjoy it!
Oh she's been resistant for two years now 😅 she does try them out at least, but then immediately loses interest. After this last attempt, we're just gonna get her more scratch boxes cause she loves sitting on those lol.
This one with a flip top, which you can also get for the same cost on the brand's official website, I just bought it at the same time as some other stuff. I'm planning to put it on top of the honeycomb-esque litter mat we currently use.
You might like Women Talk Money by Rebecca Walker.
It’s a collection of stories by different women and their experience with money.
This is my go-to gift for my siblings and friends that is pretty easy to change up; I like to do is buy international candy or sweets like Ukraine's Milky Splash toffees or Japanese Dagashi snacks; I buy them from the local Asian market or European marts instead of online because it's cheaper, mix together a bunch of different candy and put them in little decorated bags for Christmas and tuck in a $5 gift card for everyone's favorite fast food restaurant and ta-da!
I will add that while this probably sounds incredibly cheap, I'm a student and my older siblings are all in the same money bracket as I am. The younger siblngs and niblings just love the candy and the promise of fries and a milkshake with Aunty kit-kat! It's just supposed to be a fun little gift that people wouldn't give themselves!
I bought this 2lb load Cuisinart Bread Maker. It's extremely easy because all you have to do is dump the ingredients in the machine, turn it on, and you have fresh bread in 2-4 hours. Some people say that you should use the maker to mix, knead, and rise then bake the bread in a traditional oven, but I always use the maker for everything.
What I didn't like was that it felt confusing to figure out what recipes to make because it felt overwhelming browsing online. I couldn't tell what recipes went with what bread maker settings. I ended up buying this cookbook and have used it exclusively. I do end up doing the same 5-8 recipes, though, since I don't want to go out and but a ton of special ingredients I'd use once.
It's also really, really easy to end up eating like 4 giant slices when it's fresh, but I've curbed that excess by now...
I prefer being in the office and I'm not going to the office much for my current job, because very few people are going in and (therefore) those who do go in expect complete silence. (I cannot be bothered moving to somewhere with a door every time I need to hop in a meeting.)
I just read Lunar New Love and really enjoyed it, especially since it's a holiday romance around a holiday I wasn't familiar with.
Your money situation is about more than how much money you have in the bank—it's about how you think and feel about money.
Stackin' is here to help you improve your relationship with money so you can become more confident in making financial decisions and achieve your goals.
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If you keep an eye out, you can definitely find a good deal -- like this one. You can sometimes find them at Costco (at least the website) for half off and at other retailers. I would just make sure to pinpoint the exact kind you want and keep an eye out (vegan, leather, color, width, size) -- sometimes there will be sales but on the cheaper models such as the neon green plastic ones or the hard footbed ones (you'll want soft footbed), as well as the vegan versions. Be careful when buying off Posh, Ebay, and other marketplaces and make sure that the ones you are buying are authentic.
Thank you!
It's my first foray into mechanical keyboards so I got it as more of a test run, but have been enjoying so far! I'm linking the product I got (thru Amazon); I opted for the red switches since they're a little quieter and aren't super clicky for when I type during video calls!
Hi! I put them in these square scrub mitt (I got from the Korean supermarket but can be found on Amazon) and use it when I shower so it’s like a body scrub that suds up. It is my very small effort of not buying plastic bottles of soap anymore.
https://www.amazon.com/Skyroad-Quality-Exfoliating-Scrub-package/dp/B00CA8ZEIS
I don’t think the watercolor is weird at all! If you want to stick with the Hamilton theme how about a copy of Chernow’s biography? It was the inspiration for the musical after all!
I love this book
Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307351130/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SMSJP94SA08AMRV1TH9V
It was really impactful for me. There’s a chapter that talks abt how we are conditioned as women to second guess ourselves
Since then, I don’t think twice abt always asking for more even if inside I don’t think I’m worth it. I remember that that feeling isn’t real.
I had a situation where at a job I got promoted and was getting all nervous and ready to ask for my upper bound.. and I walk in and my manager is all apologetic (before I even said anytbing$abt how “look I know this isnt the salary you want, but it’s all we can do now, I’m working to get you another bump in 6 months bla bla bla”.. And you know what his number was? My upper bound that I thought was absurdly high
That when it really clicked that my perception is way off from reality. So now I always just ask for more and muscle through the internal uncomfortable feelings w a poker face
Reading the latest book of essays from Margaret Atwood covering 2004-2021.
Also, this is the perfect place to shout out her book on debt which is amazing.
I'm thrilled to see face-to-face meetings happening in person!
In addition to everything mentioned, carry an external battery to charge your cell phone with some cords as well. I love Anker products (found on Amazon and now in brick and mortar stores). Those batteries hold a lot of power and can help out quite a bit during flight delays.
Bigger thing -- carry cords to charge your phone and other devices. I carry something like this in my backpack. (Also, don't forget things like Apple Watch chargers, which you may only have one of)
Also, consider using Uber/Lyft instead of renting cars ... might be worth saving the headache ...
I got these for the size variety. I admittedly don't travel a huge amount for work (particularly due to Covid, but even before that I wasn't traveling every week like many here) so I went solid ratings but not high end. I've used the smallest one quite a bit with various other sizes and no problems yet!
My travel essentials are:
I just recommended this one in another thread but I started using this backpack this year and it’s a delight. Plenty of interior pockets, looks super professional, can convert into a (long) tote quickly, and fits my 16” laptop with a little room to spare.
I don’t walk very far to get to and from the train, but I haven’t had an issues with the ergonomics of it so far.
I recently got this bag on Amazon and loveeee it, really makes me feel like the more senior professional that I’ve become over the last two years. Secret pocket! Laptop sleeve! Interior organization! Converts into a tote!
I’ve also been using Nuuly to get outfits that represent my style now vs what I wore in 2019, while being a little more sustainable and not blowing the bank on a new wardrobe.
I really like these 3-sided toothbrushes for my Chihuahua: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RHJT8BC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Loved your diary! Just wanted to ask if you have tried high decibel soft ear plugs for your partner snoring? They are the only thing that allows us to sleep in the same room together. Here are the ones I buy, and I have tiny ear canals that hate ear plugs but these don't hurt at all, plus I can't hear a thing.
Ugh, I relate hard to that sinking feeling as you turn your keys and pray the car starts. Glad you got it taken care of! I got a Hario Cold Brew Coffee Pot and it's great, the filter has caught even super finely ground coffee.
I've always had good experiences with my Toddy cold brew system; I also grind my own beans, which helps a lot.
I'm curious what you got your masters in that supported your work in customer success. I found my way to CS about 5 years ago after some time in software implementation/project management, operations, and sales/biz dev; I'm now a CS director but never did get an advanced degree in the field.
Thank you for the nice note and I'm delighted to be able to opine on this. I used someone's Breville Barista Express at an AirBNB for a wedding last year and I've been lusting after a semi automatic since then! It was super easy to use, produced great crema and was decidedly a luxury!
(Though I have decided to get a Jura to replace my Moka pot and my currently on its last days Breville coffee maker. I've had the old version of the linked one since 2013).
Well, I already paid my rent and set up a CC payment, so I guess those were the first transactions! As far as purchasing, I am deciding. I'm visiting family right now so haven't gone out a ton, but am playing around with a new way to account for my spending using YNAB - a wish list and a wish farm (v. cute, haha). Here's an article about it: https://www.youneedabudget.com/wish-lists/
I found this on variable income. . It’s an 8 part series. I also did a search for variable income and got these results because I didn’t see a link directly to part two.
My husband is in sales and has one paycheck a month that is a roll of the dice. We are one month ahead (rule 4: age your money) which helps a lot. But three months ago he had a bad sales month so next month is going to be leaner.
I'm sorry, I'm just seeing this now! It's gone up in price a bit, but it's this one and I've had no problems with it; I love it!
What got me to this point was a feeling of being overwhelmed and wanting to be better.
The desire for better credit terms, cards and offers was the driving force for me. Along with just being a more financially sound person.
Improving your credit score takes time. To improve your credit, you have to understand the basics of the scoring system. You need on-time payments, you need low utilization, a low number of inquiries, low debt-to-income ratio, and a mixture of debt (revolving credit, installment credit, secured and unsecured debt).
Not having a clear understanding of your financial picture is crushing. You can tackle your credit, but you first need to understand how your money is working for you.
I'm going to recommend a book that lays out the basics of financial wholeness in really easy to understand and follow steps - "Get Good with Money", by Tiffany Aliche. The first few chapters deal with budgets, credit and savings. You will not be disappointed.
Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593232747/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_6R04JBABDTDV3MZC6HEG
Best of luck to you.
I also got Aligns this year and they’re great, but I tried out the popular dupes from Amazon and like them just as much tbh!
HeyNuts Hawthorn Athletic Essential II High Waisted Yoga Capris Leggings, Workout Cropped Pants 21'' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097YM4CVZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_ESQFFZR80Y6315861H3P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Somewhat related to this but this book you might enjoy...
Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307351130/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_PQYWAE1ZV84JNEYZT3FK
This is the one I got! It's nice solid materials, wasn't complicated to put together (though it was a little finicky at times) and it does have quite a bit of storage space.
Homestyles Americana Kitchen Island with Wood Top and Drop Leaf Breakfast Bar, Storage with Drawers and Adjustable Shelves, 50 Inch Width, 49.75 inches, White and Oak https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003KY2KNI/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_2A2XXT76TPDK4JJH9A9E
Make a list and go where there are sales on airfare. If you are set on one place it can get very expensive. Think about traveling in the shoulder seasons. Europe in the summer is more expensive and crowded. Look on sites like hotels.com for cheaper one or two star hotels if you don't want to do the hostel route. Learn about public transportation where you are going. Frequent Uber etc use will jack up the price of a trip a lot. Trains and low cost airlines will get you around Europe. Do not try to do too many places. Pick maybe three for a two week vacation. I would try to do at least 10 days and try for more if you can get the time off and afford it. I did 15 days in France in 2018 with a friend for about $2500. That included flights, hotels, trains, renting a car for a few days, food, museums etc. Not a lot of alcohol except some wine and cider. We did a week in the Netherlands for about $1400 a piece in 2019. Research the cost of night life if that is important to you. I have travel in Asia by myself and in that case I probably ended up spending more as I was not sharing accomodations.
Figure out what is most important to you and spend more on those things. I am not a great foodie so expensive meals are not a priority. We splurged on a Balloon ride in Belgium. It was on my bucket list and totally worth it. Make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Don't just go somewhere for Instagram shots. Do some research on what you really want to do.
Another option would be to pick a package tour. This is not how I like to travel, but some people find this a better way for them to travel. If you plan on your own it will be more work.
I should hit my decluttering goals (I pared down my earrings to the ones I actually wear, and I have two items left on the declutter list) but not any of the others. (Phone calls with close friends and baking something every month were nowhere close. Of the stack of books I wanted to read I'll have about 8 left which isn't bad-- I think I started with about 30. I did not pay off my student loans but I'll do it next month before payments restart. I won't hit my yearly writing goal but I've written more than 2018 and 2020 and will be close to 2019 if not beat it. The only ones I'm annoyed about not hitting are 'get to bed on time' and 'no more than 5 deaths on Habitica'-- and since one of my Habitica daily tasks is getting to bed on time, those are related.)
I've also just remembered this Tatty Devine notebook, it was my favourite ever and I can't find it in stock anymore 😢
Tatty Devine 'Blah Blah Blah' A5 Notebook https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074H5SS4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_3PRDW9JD94BA1F7GJ70R
I just bought my SO's cat this heated cat bed and he's OBSESSED. He's very picky about toys/trees/beds (he's never used his other one and immediately jumps out if we put him in) but he's been snuggling up in this all day lately.
This seat is amazing. Enough it could even fix marital issues. https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Portable-Booster-Green/dp/B01AZC36Z8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=OXQC738QXKTY&keywords=summer+infant+chair&qid=1638042797&rdc=1&sprefix=summer+infant+chair%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-3. I take it everywhere. Jokes aside it really is the best piece of baby tech I own.
This is a fun question! I have: This little guy (bao light)and these (little squeezy animals) to cheer me up on long days (and also give me something to squeeze when I want to reach through my speaker and strangle someone) 😂
I really like my new chair. Small and a nice pop of color. BELLEZE Modern Armless Office Ergonomic Task Conference Chair with Mid-Back Design, Faux Leather Upholstered Seat, and Back 360 Swivel Adjustable Height - Adrian (Teal) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XTD9GNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GH1NM32ZQKCR91NPHST2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I’ve suffered from migraines for half my life. The only thing that has helped other than drinking more water was using this at the base of my head/neck when I feel the migraine starting.
Ice Roller For Face Eye Puffiness, Teenitor Ice Face Roller Massager TMJ Migraine Pain Relief and Minor Injury Therapy Cold Freezer Tighten Skin Care Products https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PFG7GNJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_F72WCADH9XXS7MBF1R97?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Both my friend and I have this one and I love it! https://www.amazon.com/Ultrean-Electric-Nonstick-Certified-Warranty/dp/B07FF117K7/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?keywords=air+fryer&qid=1636653979&qsid=134-5177943-5294834&sr=8-17&sres=B07BJ1K3JV%2CB07GJBBGHG%2CB0777RJG6D%2CB07ZWG619F%2CB089TPT5L...
I have this Angteela Wireless Headset with Noise Canceling Mic and it’s awesome. I have it paired with my laptop for Zoom, with my cell phone, and the battery life lasts all day, and it’s super comfortable!
24 inch dual monitors are a must! I have two alongside my laptop. I don’t have a fancy docking station, just an eight port USB hub.
I’m really surprised about loving The addition of a desk lamp. It really helps! I picked up a set of blue light glasses from Costco for $10. Those are a win! And finally as it’s going into winter, I have an XL heat pad nearby. A blanket & hoodie are comfy but not always Zoom appropriate. The heat pad helps loosen muscles after sitting for a while and also to keep you nice and toasty!
I *love* these Tommy Bahama towels. I used them in an AirBnB a few months ago and bought them for my own place.
I am a luxury hotel traveller as much as I can be... I prefer to spend more for convenience. I want to stay somewhere where I can really relax and chill in the hotel room, not just a place to sleep. Especially as I did more business travel, I realised that things like having a bath, bathrobes, and comfy beds are super important to me, as it gives ma an opportunity to truly relax.
I don't typically stay in AirBnBs because I like the points schemes (RIP Starwood!!) of companies like Marriott or Hotels.com. By using these sites, I usually end up with 1 or 2 free hotel rooms a year. I used Marriott points to stay at the Ritz Carlton in Chengdu, SPG points to stay at the St. Regis in Rome, etc - places I typically wouldn't be able to afford to stay at.
Here's the one that I put together!
I try to follow the 50/30/20 budgeting guide (50% of your salary towards needs, 30% towards non-necessities, and 20% to savings), so that's how I divided up my spreadsheet. I added a third column to easily track the dollar amount I have left in each category so I can easily see how much wiggle room I have that month. Hope this helps!
One of these to easily connect your Mac to your desk setup https://www.brydge.com/pages/docking-stations
Portable laptop stand to work on the go. I like this one. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01HHYQBB8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_HEP7W6940DQQJV2VKDZK
A portable wifi pod, to be able to work anywhere.
Some good headphones (I like having both in ear and bigger ones to alternate between). I like Bose but this all comes down to what fits your ears best.
If working remotely mainly, upgrade your camera. Things have really improved here recently.
Just wanted to clarify the difference between career coaching and resume writing. Some career service professionals do both, but sometimes people confuse the two due to considerable overlap. Services like Resume Footprint and many others (I used to write for this particular company a few years back) are very helpful when a person is clear on what they want to do next and just need documents that showcase that. But if people are at the stage where they feel they want to do something different, then it is too early to work with a resume writer and that is when career coaching comes in handy. A good one will help you through that process. Here is a link to a good DIY resource: https://www.amazon.com/YouMap-Yourself-Blaze-Path-World-ebook/dp/B07GWVMGRV
As someone who strictly writes resumes, I can help someone decide whether they want to focus on a change such as, for example, taking the next step up the career ladder, changing industries or sectors (eg from government to corporate settings), or simply staying on their current path but wanting stronger documents to support that.
But if someone comes to me and says: "the world is my oyster and I want something different, but I don't know what," I refer them to career coaching. Sometimes that career coach can also do the documents for them and other times, they partner with or refer to a resume writer.
Either way, a good place to start is looking in the databases of industry associations. A couple of good ones are: Career Directors International, Resume Writing Academy/Career Though Leaders, and the National Resume Writers Association.
i am a sr. level manager in higher ed and i work in our marketing dept. i have a few "personality items" at my desk. the first are polaroid prints that my fiance takes of either us, or concerts he shoots. i also have a few bobble heads from my fave sports team and three drinking buddies hanging from my computer monitor. these are always a conversation starter. i've collected them at various bachelorette parties over the years.
most people have stuff pinned to their boards. there are office plants, homey elements, tons of paraphernalia for the institution i work for. some more expressive than others. i'd definitely say we encourage expression here but there are a handful of bare desks and offices too.
I blogger I follow swears by buying ugg inserts (https://www.amazon.com/UGG-Accessories-Womens-Sheepskin-Insole/dp/B000KLAVAS/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=ugg+inserts&qid=1630068155&sr=8-6) and put them in their cheaper slippers to get that comfy feeling without such a price tag. Maybe another option for you :)
There's a tinting kit you can buy on Amazon for $25 that I love. Because places charge $20 every time!!! Just put Vaseline around them otherwise you'll dye your skin. enjoy your wedding!
I have no idea if I did this link right. That’s the 6” version. I prefer 8” but it’s like double the price.
I’m reading this book the first 90 days and it touches upon some of the stuff you mentioned. Not quite done reading but I recommend it. Applicable to both your situation as a new leader and just transitioning to a new role in any position.
Hi! I may not be too much help... I haven’t found anything I really love, so for shorter runs (under an hour) I also hold onto it, haha... but I’m also a pocket fan so most of my sweatpants and leggings have pockets that I’ll use too. I’m a dinosaur and still use corded headphones so I can tell by the slack if the phone is in danger of moving or falling out of my pocket. (old navy has some affordable joggers and leggings that have phone pockets fyi).
Otherwise for longer runs or bad weather I use super cheap running bands I got years ago on Amazon like this, but I don’t love them tbh. Not sure where you are (I’m east coast USA) but if you’re looking for a more ethical option than Amazon, lots of local running stores and sports stores are doing curbside pick up right now. Most would have something similar - just search for “waterproof phone holder for running.” Hope that helps a little! Good luck with your 10k! I like 10ks the best — just enough that you probably have to train for it, but not so far to make you lose your mind 🙃
I was definitely interested in becoming a manager in the near-ish future, and was upfront about it in my interview. I'd say this is one of the benefits of joining a small-medium size company - you are more likely to get team-building experience earlier rather than later.
The biggest adjustment for me was just the overall transition from IC to people manager. Some of the traits that made me a strong IC were at odds with what my team needed from their manager. For example, I was known for 'ruthless execution' and an immediate problem solving mentality - I've had to significantly dial up my empathy energy and remember to lean on that first in some circumstances.
Honestly, I think every manager will struggle a bit at first - this is natural, and hopefully there is a good support and development system in place (even if it's just your manager) that will help you navigate those trials and tribulations. I read books and blogs, but ultimately I learned the most from making mistakes and getting honest feedback from my team members on a regular cadence.
That being said, I do highly recommend The Making of Manager - her early years definitely resonate with what I went through! And I'm of course still developing my skills. Because what a company needs from their managers / directors will continuously change at various stages of growth and maturity.
:)
Well write it down and put it in the column called “probably in my head”, and have another column for “something to stress about” to fill up w other things
This book really put stuff in perspective for me. Especially the know your worth when it comes to work.
Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307351130/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_UtJeGb4SP8DR3
You should do it! I got the tank for $149 from Airgas (ask for “a 20lb tank of food grade CO2 with a diptube”—the last part is also called a siphon) and bought the sodastream adapter for $40 on Amazon. The tutorial is on YouTube!
Made it through Christmas ok. I had no Christmas spirit this year. I was worried as I could not see all my family in person and it was the first Christmas without my mom. I could only spend 45 minutes with my dad in his assisted living facility and I was lucky to have that much. Driving four hours round trip listening to a good book, a couple of presents I really wanted opened on Zoom, a frozen pizza and watching a lovely ballet performed by the Royal Ballet helped me make it through the day. The cake brownies my niece made and a good cup of tea also helped. Favorite gift was a smallish cork globe you can sit on a desk and you put push pins to note where you have traveled or where you want to travel. Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Inch-Cork-Globe-Color-Push
>If anything I spend more time wondering why incompetent men keep getting promoted and have never once wondered the same thing about women (prob because it rarely happens).
If you find yourself wondering this, you'll really enjoy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Many-Incompetent-Become-Leaders-ebook/dp/B07FQVCX8D
The author (a professor of leadership and business psychology) also has a bunch of videos and articles on why this happens and how to fix it. I'm sure many others in the thread have faced the same thing!
I bought the Braun Silk-epil 3. I had my eye on a couple of more expensive models but since it was my first one, I didn’t want to splurge without knowing if I’d like it, if it did a good job, etc. But this one has been really good so far!
One from Nordstrom that was on sale (honeydew intimates), the other 2 are a pair on amazon 2 Pack: Women’s Pajama Set Super-Soft Short & Long Sleeve Top with Pants https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QY96NPF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9xgMFb9KYKYFT
Would he consider taking the role of stay-at-home dad in the future so that you do not need to take time off from your career? I am single at the moment, but I make good money in tech. I do see myself finding a partner that makes less and will probably have similar anxiety as you. My sister told me about this book "When She makes more" by Farnoosh Torabi. I thought it was helpful to prepare for such a future. Here is the link to the book on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/When-She-Makes-More-Breadwinning/dp/1491503300
Packing cubes, a 360-swivel hard top (I have two different sizes of the Amazon basics one and actually love it...it won’t hold up forever but I needed to step up this year with a new job and they’ve served me well so far), this pillow , my Kindle, a charger so my iPhone doesn’t punk out halfway through a plane movie.
I’m still trying to find the perfect travel tote. I’d love one that does double duty for work since I bring my laptop home often. Right now I have this and it looks good and functions but it might be a little too structured.
I lusted after Away luggage for sooo long and when it came down to it, I couldn't let myself spend that much money. I bought this Samsonite luggage from Amazon for SO much cheaper, and couldn't be happier with it (the large checked bag is currently on sale + extra $34.80 coupon = $139.19). I have the carry-on and the checked bag-large. It's held up extremely well over 10+ flights already.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY047AR/ref=twister_B07RYMH45K?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
Bought this one in September and LOVE IT. I see that it's out of stock, but the brand has similar ones. It's huge, comfy and really well made. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B072M1W86Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1