https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 03:26:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/values-based-budgetsspending#post-2927527 Sat, 01 Oct 2022 20:37:11 +0000 Chuckles 2927527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone used values-based spending to get a better handle on your finances? I'm also interested in using it to make sure my spouse and I are on the same page with where we're spending money. I'd love to hear how/if it worked for you. Here's a link that explains what it is:<br /> <a href="https://www.truist.com/money-mindset/principles/budgeting-by-values/building-a-values-based-budget" rel="nofollow">https://www.truist.com/money-mindset/principles/budgeting-by-values/building-a-values-based-budget</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-do-you-stash-your-savings#post-2925355 Wed, 03 Nov 2021 06:05:56 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2925355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been in the process of interviewing financial advisors and am not quite finding the answers I am looking for so I figured maybe this group might have ideas :)</p> <p>After selling our house 2 years ago and with the change in our childcare expenses and commutes thanks to the pandemic, we've been lucky to build up a healthy savings account. Our finances are pretty typical - no debt except a mortgage, two earner household with max withholding, no side hustles/rental incomes/etc; we file a pretty basic tax return, in case that matters for this purpose. We both contribute to our employers' 401K plans, though not maxing out our contributions right now and that's something I'm already trying to do the math on. </p> <p>Right now our savings are sitting in a basic online savings account, and I want to manage it more strategically. My thought is to leave a small amount in that account for emergency expenses and buy 2 Roth IRAs for DH and I, but after that, I'm stuck on what to do with the rest. I don't want to open a college savings account for a variety of reasons (we're in VA and have a 529 plan) but I could be convinced otherwise. Big picture, we're anticipating having to contribute to our parents' expenses as they retire in the next 5-10 years. We're both children of immigrants and neither set of our parents saved for retirement so beyond Social Security, they won't have much to live on. My husband is thinking a lower risk investment account might be the path forward so that we have access to the funds easily. I'm wondering what options I might not be considering. </p> <p>Any tips or ideas? Any good places to read up on this? I've been at this for a few months now and am not quite finding answers that resonate. </p> <p>Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-certificate-dilemma#post-2924206 Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:34:11 +0000 MLE81 2924206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all, looking for some advice/perspective here.</p> <p>I live in a city/region where hair salons have been closed since November 2020. They reopen tomorrow and I have an appointment on Friday.<br /> Here’s my dilemma: I have a gift certificate to cover my services that also expires at the end of July. However, I’m feeling guilty about using it as that means no (new) revenue for my appointment.</p> <p>Wondering if I should:<br /> A) Use it but leave an extra large tip<br /> B) Ask them if they are willing to extend the expiry date until my next appointment and just pay for my services on Friday<br /> C) Decide to forgo the certificate altogether and never use it</p> <p>If it makes a difference, the stylist who I’m seeing is also one of the salon owners. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/life-insurance-advice#post-2922133 Sun, 17 Jan 2021 19:26:20 +0000 MLE81 2922133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need to update my life insurance coverage preferences with my benefits provider, but I am honestly really clueless about how much coverage I/we need. Are there any general guidelines for how much life insurance is recommended? Or, can anyone recommend some resources I can access to help me to make a more informed decision? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/splurge-ideas-for-grown-ups#post-2919666 Sat, 17 Oct 2020 07:56:57 +0000 karenbme 2919666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, I’m looking for ideas for something to splurge on for me (and probably DH but not necessarily our kiddo) to celebrate a big new job. In non-Covid times I would call Nana and have her stay with the baby for a night and get a fancy hotel room and dinner at a bougie restaurant, but all of that feels unsafe to us right now. We looked into getting a hot tub, but that would require expanding our electrical panel so was eliminated, and we’re probably going to move once this is all over since my new job is permanently remote and DH has a fairly long commute. Who’s got ideas for big, fun and/or relaxing Covid conscious activities or household upgrades that could move with us? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/financial-advising-ongoing-basis#post-2917437 Sun, 19 Jul 2020 12:38:01 +0000 Corduroy 2917437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took a global pandemic/shelter in place to.... get DH and I to put a financial plan in place. I hired a financial planner to come up with the plan. DH and I are implementing the plan. The plan is straightforward and pretty much aligned with what DH and I thought we should be doing but never did on our own. The plan cost us $1500 (HCOL area).</p> <p>Our advisor is pitching us a $100/month ongoing advising service that would keep us on track and help us react to changes. We liked our advisor but I don't see how we'd get $100 of value out of it. He's not aggressive about the upsell and he told us he was going to offer this service at the outset. We said no for now but can change our minds when he checks in with us at 3 month or 6 months. After that if we want additional advice without signing on for the monthly service we would start over with the $1500 (or use someone else).</p> <p>If you pay for ongoing financial advising what makes it worthwhile for you? If you didn't pay for ongoing advice have you regretted it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-care-fsa-opinion#post-2915077 Thu, 07 May 2020 15:21:44 +0000 gotkimchi 2915077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are allowed to turn off our dependent care contributions if we wish and it sounds like we can turn them back on later if we choose. Right now I’ve been reimbursed for everything I’ve submitted, about 2000. Should I/would you turn this off for now seeing as how everything is so up in the air or assume we’ll be going back to daycare at some point? I don’t want to lose out on $3000 but I’m just so torn on what to do </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-anyone-received-corona-money-yet#post-2913782 Sun, 12 Apr 2020 10:00:02 +0000 gotkimchi 2913782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve heard direct deposits have started but no one I know has gotten them yet. Any of you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-to-contact-over-wrong-stimulus-amount#post-2913997 Wed, 15 Apr 2020 07:24:35 +0000 oldschooolmama 2913997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I received part of our stimulus check this AM but it did not include the portion for having a child. Who do I contact for getting this money? </p> <p>My friend said her check included money for one of her children but not the other. Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/childcare-hsa-help#post-2912868 Wed, 25 Mar 2020 21:17:00 +0000 crazydoglady 2912868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, so I recently signed up for the childcare HSA and 416.66 has been taken out my check. I just got the reimbursement for...416.66. So, how exactly does this help me? I pay 760 a month for my daughter and 555 for my son, but I haven't bothered claiming my son's because I was under the impression we would reach the cap with my daughter's anyway. Please help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-i-tip-enough#post-2910947 Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:06:12 +0000 MLE81 2910947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just left a hair salon after a first time visit for a cut and colour. I’m happy with the result and would like to go back again. Altogether the cost for the services was $135....I tipped $20, which I realize now is just under 15%. Is that too low? Do you think the stylist will be offended and not want to book me again? I usually try to tip generously so I wasn’t purposely trying to be cheap...it just seemed like a good amount at the time I was paying. Am I worrying for nothing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ways-to-console-someone-who-lost-a-lot-of-money#post-2909784 Fri, 07 Feb 2020 04:46:11 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2909784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A family member is expected to lose a lot of money. The exact sum will be revealed within the next few weeks and although we've all processed this for months now, it's going to get real very soon. </p> <p>I don't want to get into specifics, but the money lost won't exactly affect the person's lifestyle, per se. But would have changed it dramatically if she didn't lose it. The loss was essentially a consequence to going against the guidelines and not realizing the actual stakes at the time.</p> <p>This person lives alone and I'm worried for her. It's the type of thing that will keep anyone up at night. What can I say or do to help?</p> <p>Edit: There is no way she would get the money back. Therefore, I would like to focus on ways to console. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/babysitter-rate#post-2909404 Fri, 31 Jan 2020 19:36:37 +0000 winter_wonder 2909404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much would you pay a sitter to watch one 3 year old for 3 hours? We're in the Midwest, not a mid size town. Not a big city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/budgeting-enthusiasts-chat#post-2905728 Fri, 13 Dec 2019 14:00:31 +0000 graceandjoy 2905728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wondering who else is really into budgeting and want to chat? I don't really have an actual direction of this thread haha. Maybe can start with what your budgeting method is? Any major goals you're saving for next year? I'll reply in comments! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/unsubscribing-to-save-money#post-2908748 Wed, 22 Jan 2020 10:30:31 +0000 lindseykaye 2908748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have decided that keeping up with delaying various subscriptions that I signed up for with promos or in order to automate savings is taking too much time and I am 'unsubscribing' in an effort to take this task off my mental plate and save money. Too many times recently I accidentally missed delaying a shipment, or canceling an auto-order and wasted money on things I don't need. Below are all the things I previously had set up that I'm canceling. I figured I would ask the boards to see what you all might have set up that you have cancelled recently in case I'm missing anything!</p> <p>Blue Apron<br /> Freshly<br /> Hello Fresh<br /> Marley Spoon<br /> Gobble<br /> Disney Movie Club (3 accidental movies sent recently! Ugh!)<br /> Amazon Subscribe and Save (pared down to the minimum) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/security-deposit-renters-right#post-2908321 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:40:45 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2908321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any California bees know a bit more about renters’ rights than I do?</p> <p>My parents rent out rooms to help pay for their mortgage.</p> <p>Recently (this is all according to my dad) a renter left large stains on the carpet, stains on the bathtub and sink that according to my dad they can’t get out. My parents spent $100 on professional carpet cleaning services for the room and they cleaned the bathroom themselves.</p> <p>My dad asked this tenant to leave and gave him two months notice.</p> <p>According to my dad this tenant had multiple cars and made a living off fixing up cars and selling them. He says that the stains are due to his car maintenance work.</p> <p>The tenant paid $500 security deposit and asked for an itemized receipt with before and after pictures. According to my father the tenant wants his whole security deposit back and has threatened to sue him if he doesn’t (but I was not there for this conversation).</p> <p>My dad wants to charge him $100 carpet cleaning fees (which they hired someone for and have a receipt for) and $200 for labor costs (my mom, dad, and brother cleaning the bathroom and etc.)</p> <p>I feel lost at how to help him with this.<br /> A simple typed up word doc receipt should be fine, right?<br /> $100 carpet cleaning<br /> $200 labor cost<br /> ———<br /> $300 total</p> <p>What about the tenant’s request for before/after pictures? Is that necessary?</p> <p>My parents have had multiple tenants but this is the only guy making a huge mess and also giving legal threats and I think my dad is both furious and a little worried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-save-your-hsa-receipts#post-2907459 Fri, 03 Jan 2020 09:52:10 +0000 bhbee 2907459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought you were supposed to for tax purposes, but I'm wondering if it's really necessary? I always use the HSA debit card, so it shows on the statements where I spent it. </p> <p>if you do save them, how long? I just have a big pile in the cabinet I throw them in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/easy-way-to-donate-items-via-amazon#post-2907521 Fri, 03 Jan 2020 18:41:53 +0000 Ajsmommy 2907521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="https://i.redd.it/wkt1tizgus741.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://i.redd.it/wkt1tizgus741.jpg</a></p> <p>Givebackbox.com </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spinoff-on-travel-post-travel-credit-cards#post-2907314 Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:20:36 +0000 LemonJack 2907314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just like the title says, this is a spinoff on the vacation budget thread. I would like to get a travel credit card, and am wondering which card people use and love. We currently use a cash back card with no fees, and love it, but I’d like to get a card that offers travel rewards to cut the cost of airline tickets. We can only travel during peak times due to my job as a teacher, so airline tickets are $$$. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/who-sells-on-poshmark#post-2905760 Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:17:52 +0000 agold 2905760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I buy things on poshmark quite a bit recently. Suddenly I’m interested in selling on there. Do any of you sell on poshmark? Is it easy? How does it work? Do any of you buy on there like I do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-tip-an-in-home-daycare-during-the-holidays#post-2905736 Fri, 13 Dec 2019 14:56:05 +0000 crazydoglady 2905736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the past, I have just purchased a nice floral arrangement/ edible arrangement etc since it feels weird to tip a person I already pay so much money directly to. Am I wrong? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spouse-was-just-fired#post-2904839 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:12:50 +0000 lilyofthewest 2904839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My partner just got fired. I'm in the midst of my last 6 months of school which is all unpaid clinical practicum. Our savings are not in great shape for this.</p> <p>Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.</p> <p>Any words of wisdom? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fsa-and-aging-out-of-daycare#post-2903950 Fri, 29 Nov 2019 19:03:31 +0000 macintosh 2903950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS attends full time daycare/preschool and currently I am using FSA deductions to pay for most of the fee's with pre-tax money. It's a great benefit, but I'm struggling with what to do for next year when he ages out of daycare and starts Kinder in August.</p> <p>Am I allowed to stop the contributions when he starts Kinder? I can't find anything like that in my qualifying event info. If I were to elect a lower amount per paycheck, I'd never have enough to pay my daycare bill and I'll still have money left over at the end of next year.</p> <p>Any experience with this?</p> <p>Any experience with this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/joint-accounts-or-separate-accounts#post-2903729 Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:48:58 +0000 cake2017 2903729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi!<br /> I’ve had this convo with so many coworkers, friends, family....</p> <p>Do you and DH have combined or separate accounts? If you have separate how do you all determine who, what and how much etc? </p> <p>We have combined. It works so well and we don’t dispute about finances. Both paychecks go into one account and we pay everything from it. If i want something i get it and same for dh. </p> <p>The only issue is christmas and birthdays lol cause we can see the account online. Therefore we withdraw cash so we don’t know!!!😜</p> <p>What do you guys do?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fmla-forms#post-2902898 Tue, 19 Nov 2019 19:48:57 +0000 Sams Mom 2902898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does your doctor's office charge to fill out FMLA paperwork?</p> <p>This all comes from my mind being blown in a due date group I'm in on Facebook. I fill out FMLA paperwork multiple times a week for an oncological surgeon, and we don't charge. There is dozens of women saying their doctor's offices charge $25-$40 to fill out FMLA... I can't believe they charge for this.</p> <p>ETA: FMLA forms are one of my least favorite tasks and a pain in the ass... But wow </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/late-payment-0apr#post-2898435 Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:53:43 +0000 Sams Mom 2898435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just realized I forgot to make a payment yesterday (after snoozing the reminder) for our furniture credit card.</p> <p>It's one of those 0% APR for 18 months unless you miss a payment; if you miss one they hit with any and all interest. Has anyone had any luck getting that reversed? We've never been late, we were down to the hundreds of dollars instead of thousands, and I went and cost us $1,000 in interest. 😭😭😭 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/things-we-dont-pay-for#post-2894729 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 10:20:14 +0000 DesertDreams88 2894729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So just looking for some solidarity.... in the last 2 days I've felt socially excluded (unintentionally) due to my financial priorities. Basically, family and friends were asking me to join in on the things below and I had to give out a polite excuse for no. So .... I thought it would be a fun thread. </p> <p>Things I don't buy:<br /> - Children's clothes (We get hand-me-downs from 2-3 families, plus gifts from relatives. Do we love it all? No. Do I have money to spend on short-lived items? No.)<br /> - Lunch (I keep cereal, milk, a bowl, and a spoon at work. No I don't get bored. It's also more efficient.)<br /> - A Disney ticket just for my husband to carry around our 18-month old daughter for a one-day trip that she's not going to enjoy (she hates rides).<br /> - A bunch of items for my classroom to make it look Pinteresty<br /> - Paper towels</p> <p>- This is a *sometimes* but we also don't usually buy furniture.... 70% of our house is 2nd-hand furniture, wedding gifts from 2010, or Ikea. This recently came up because our kid carved some lines into our table AND drew with pen all over the microfiber couch. Luckily I got the couch clean with Shout &amp; 3 magic erasers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/equifax-breach-125-or-free-monitoring-for-you#post-2892540 Sat, 27 Jul 2019 13:13:52 +0000 DesertDreams88 2892540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just in case you didn't know...</p> <p><a href="https://slate.com/technology/2019/07/equifax-settlement-money-how-to-claim.html" rel="nofollow">https://slate.com/technology/2019/07/equifax-settlement-money-how-to-claim.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-ideal-budget#post-2891768 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 23:26:49 +0000 Hypatia 2891768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I found this chart on Dave Ramsey’s website. Does it resonate with your family budget?</p> <p>Our major differences:</p> <p>Mortgage - 40% (we couldn’t pass up our house, we love it)<br /> Food - 20% - 25% (our worst vice)</p> <p>We either hit the target or spend less in every other category, so that’s a relief. What about you? Do you think any of these categories should be higher or lower than they are? I noticed childcare isn’t in there (I am a SAHM, but I know that’s a huge piece of the pie for double income families). </p> [attach=8948/19/puxb0p.600x600.96A03C15-95FE-40EB-8D98-BA8AE190FDB6.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-been-through-bankruptcy#post-2885641 Sat, 25 May 2019 21:58:15 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2885641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It looks like we might have to look into bankruptcy because of some debts that have gotten out of control (mostly my fault). What was your experience? Were you able to keep your home? I’m scared. </p>