The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[StarWarsGirl]

You know, in 2005 I bought a Toyota Yaris two door hatchback. I lived in California at the time and it made sense for my life. A couple years later I found myself driving it between North Carolina and New Jersey, and then ended up in Ohio. Where it snows and gets icy. And this car is horrible in snow and ice.

Had I known I would someday move to a snowy region, I might have bought something different. So you're right that you won't know where you'll be in 3-5 years. That's valid.

But I haven't made a car payment on that car in seven years. My insurance is halF, too.

In three years, whatever car you might buy/lease to might not fit your life. But if you lease, you're out 100% of the money. If you buy, you'll likely be able to recover a lot of what you paid. Or, like me, you might find that no car is really perfect for your life, but this little tank is good enough. And then you won't have any car payments going into your mid/late twenties.

I know you're smart with money and you're considering your options, but I'm throwing this out there. That salesman was almost definitely picked out for you based on age/gender, and his point seems good but he's also trying to sell you a product you didn't come in for.

Well, to be fair, I did come in with the idea of leasing the Buick. He really wasn't trying to sell me on the idea; he was pointing out the merits of my own idea. It was actually my dad's idea to lease. He leased two Oldsmobile Auroras before buying his third one, and it worked out really well. I definitely hear your point about not having a car payment, and that is part of the appeal of buying, but I'm also not really doing this as an investment. I also would have to put more money down on the car in order to keep the monthly payments low. If I lease, I might not have to put any money down thanks to those GM rewards points, which will mean I'll have more money in a few years for buying a place, while still keeping the monthly payments right where I need them. And when it comes down to it, if I'm going to put $5000 into an investment or put it into a car, I'm much better off investing it. Plus, the technology in these cars means I might be ready for an upgrade in a few years.

I'm thinking maybe of leasing the Chevy Malibu and then in three or four years depending on what my income is and where I am in life reevaluating and either leasing another car or buying something.

I'm still going to go back and forth. Going to get some more input from my dad and probably will go see a financial advisor as well.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Have any of you fine people ever used Kids Nite In at WDW?

Was thinking about this mommy/daughter trip and how I won't likely get to go on any thrill rides. So I thought it would make the trip exponentially better for me if I took an adult only night and did the Ultimate Night of Thrills tour (all the thrill rides in AK). Simba's Clubhouse would have been perfect because it's nearby and would be really fun for her, but they're closing the doors at the end of July.

That leaves Kids Nite In as the only option left. Well, besides just not doing any thrill rides this trip...

We've never used it, but I did read that the childcare center at the Dolphin is staying open. It is for ages 4 and up, will she be 4 by that trip?

 

[DryerLintFan]

We've never used it, but I did read that the childcare center at the Dolphin is staying open. It is for ages 4 and up, will she be 4 by that trip?

No only 3.5

 

[Gabe1]

Congrats on the addition to your family! I'm sorry you have had a tough week but the addition is a nice end.

Thank you. A lot of sadness this week here, tolling for many from one to the next kinda wears all out but yes a very pretty, healthy new baby girl was an awesome end to the week. I'm so happy for my nicer SIL that her Grandbaby was born on her Birthday. My BIL/SIL also had their Son born on Great Grandpa Birthday. The odds. My wish for my new Great niece is the hope it is a good life that has just begun...pretty cool what a new life brings to a family. She is so pretty too.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Interesting...
We had a great public pool and a hot tub 3 decks directly above our cabin. It had a retractable roof, so that was closed for our slightly chilly departure. But, it was awesome!!! The lido deck also had a larger pool and two hot tubs. No lack of pools or hot tubs for us!!!!!

Last cruise and next cruise our rooms are on Lido Deck. (We booked the same exact rooms. ) There's two rooms past ours and then the doorway out to the pool area. Also a very short walk for drinks and food. Surprisingly, and most thankfully, we hear zero noise from people at the pool, the music or the night pool movies in our room. I like that...a lot.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

@StarWarsGirl I hope you are feeling better too

Thanks. I am finally starting to feel like I'm back to normal. The fatigue has been the worst part. Yesterday I felt like I had energy, and then I started moving around, and then I was done. Today I was at Orioles Fan Fest, and there was one panel where I felt like I would fall asleep. Tomorrow I plan to get some rest and maybe just do some walking to try to up my energy. Gotta get it up for WDW.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

It’s freezing where I am! How’s everyone’s day?

Rain turning to snow, then turning to rain, then turning to snow.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Thanks. I am finally starting to feel like I'm back to normal. The fatigue has been the worst part. Yesterday I felt like I had energy, and then I started moving around, and then I was done. Today I was at Orioles Fan Fest, and there was one panel where I felt like I would fall asleep. Tomorrow I plan to get some rest and maybe just do some walking to try to up my energy. Gotta get it up for WDW.

Build up that stamina slowly, you want to be in good shape for Disney. Hubs has to build up his walking stamina for Disney too but he has a little more time than you do.

 

[Gabe1]

The camper, for me, is more of a replacement of the tent, rather than a "second home". I still very much want to feel like I'm camping. I'll cull through this, but we will are focusing more on mods that will make things more organized and flow better, not ones that will turn it into a little cottage.

So like, storage solutions, making one bed permanent (adds more storage and is less work overall), stuff like that. Like a tent that protects us better from the elements and is easier to set up. We're not going to install a TV or anything. Thank you though!!

Oy. I give you so much credit. Tent, camper. I won't do either. Just not in me. Fairness I've tried it. Several times. So hate it. I admire those who can feel at one with nature, it is a gift. A gift I never received.

 

[Gabe1]

Thanks. I am finally starting to feel like I'm back to normal. The fatigue has been the worst part. Yesterday I felt like I had energy, and then I started moving around, and then I was done. Today I was at Orioles Fan Fest, and there was one panel where I felt like I would fall asleep. Tomorrow I plan to get some rest and maybe just do some walking to try to up my energy. Gotta get it up for WDW.

Feel better my friend. I need to live vicariously through your trip that is well deserved after the last few months you've had. While nothing major you sure have had some stress with cars choices, sickness etc. You need a Disney Break. (me too)

 

[Gabe1]

You always struck me as the sensible type.

Certainly. April just brings the most wondrous of possibilities. Including those who own the month!

 

[Gabe1]

My 2 "little tiny babies" are already 42 and 44. Now let me make it clear that it means nothing more then I am older then dirt. It also means that I have been doing this fatherhood thing now for 44 years and the only end in sight is when I decide that it's time to go. No vacation time, nothing more then partial retirement and more benefits then one can imagine. All and all (or possibly 'all in all') a pretty good gig that I would start at the beginning if I could. No regrets!

Spoiler: Possible change...

If I could find a way to get at least a little financial positive instead of mind numbing expense, I would go for that.

A good life. Seriously, a nice group of children you have. Hindsight is interesting. Like a blanket excuse for some given their poor choices. Some Hindsight is what they were dealt and need to cope with. Very different. View of hindsight depends on if the person is the victim or the perpetrator. Very different hindsight cause you are either forced to live with it or hoping someone else will live the your hindsight. So not the same.

 

[Gabe1]

Disney on Ice had all of @Tuvalu s favorite things snoap and dryer lint
View attachment 259644
View attachment 259645

Ha! Too funny!

 

[Gabe1]

So true. My tiny little boy is also taller than me now. But since I am just 5'2", it didn't take much. It's just weird.

{{{HUGS}}} I'm short too. Everyone in my family is taller than me. I remember the male pride when my DS overtook me. Oddly I don't take pride in the fact that my Mom that was much taller than me is now shorter than me. She is 83. The shrinking cycle.

 

[Gabe1]

I hate hindsight. It just reminds me that all my decisions were stupid!!

Oy. But knowing you, you are teasing.

 

[Gabe1]

Blah. The Death Toll got me. If I've missed something...point me there. I've tried to skim over a week but it isn't working...likely won't. Blah, hate weeks like this.

 

[Figgy1]

Good morning

 

[Figgy1]

5 days until Groundhog Day

 

[Figgy1]

 

[Figgy1]