if saving money is a priority, maybe a Walmart trip once a month might be worth it. I’ve found their prices on cleaning products and packaged staples really much cheaper than the traditional supermarket I frequent.
Too bad the down arrows are gone, because I’m sure that what I’m about to write will provoke disagreement. But I don’t think retirement savings should be the number 1 priority for young families. I wouldn’t necessarily do the Disney trip today, because the park has been corrupted by skip the line money, etc. But back in the day, my husband and I did take the kids — drove there and didn’t stay at a Disney property—and funded the trip with credit card debt. I am unapologetic for what we did. I believe that “experiences” shouldn’t be just for retirees: young families should enjoy them too. Kids are only small once. They should have opportunities with their parents to experience things that are out of the ordinary. I don’t think such events have to happen constantly— once in a while is good. My husband and I worked hard— and ultimately did save for retirement. The Disney trip probably did not constitute a major setback. But I’d have put all our data into a spreadsheet to be sure.
i think you may need to broaden your grocery shopping experience. Try going to Trader Joe’s or Aldi — no coupons of any kind and both are much smaller than the traditional supermarket. And then there’s Walmart, the biggest grocery seller in the US. The grocery market is quite segmented. The various formats appeal to different shoppers. I love to grocery shop— love them all!
Actually PepsiCo dropped its prices across the board— snacks as well as soft drinks. I’ve been buying 12 packs of Pepsi Zero at Walmart for little more than $6 for more than a month.
I should have thought about waiting! Excellent idea. Maybe she will get a summer job. Better if she can assume some responsibility for her spending. I can always help out if she needs the help. Thanks for the insight.
Our kids went to school in NYC, so no car and dorm all four years. We covered all housing, meal plans, books etc as well as tuition. They all had summer jobs and used that money for extras— no one had a job during the school year i don’t see that model as totally applicable for the granddaughter. She’s chosen—at latest report— a rural university where campus housing is guaranteed for only one year. Living in a college town, I know off campus housing is likely to be pricey and hard to get. I also don’t know how easy it will be for her to get a summer job; given the higher minimum wage in many states; I’ve noticed the businesses that hired our kids have cut back on teen workers. I’m feeling kind of relieved nobody has suggested the $100-150 a month that I mentioned in my post below to be totally outrageous enough to elicit a response. But if anyone does think that way, I be interested to know the rationale. I’m still struggling with this.
My granddaughter will be starting college in the fall. Her 529 will cover tuition, books, dorm etc. She’ll probably have a car at school— don’t think the 529 can be used for that . I was considering giving her $100-$150 a month. I’m not sure, but I don’t think she’s particularly financially responsible. I’m planning to provide the money each month. Good or bad idea?
Yup — stuff wears out and repairs can be pricey. But so far you've gotten 20 years with that a/c. I doubt a new unit will last that long. My son in law replaced his in a new house after 10 years. i think Dana has the right attitude. She and her husband saved for retirement. Now that it’s here, she’s willing to spend on what seems her best alternative.
My husband and I claimed at FRA. We both wanted to keep working, but we used the SS payments to buy plane tickets and rent an apartment near our then infant granddaughter. Worked very well. Eighteen years later, we still have that apartment and are still buying plane tickets. No regrets.
Comments
if saving money is a priority, maybe a Walmart trip once a month might be worth it. I’ve found their prices on cleaning products and packaged staples really much cheaper than the traditional supermarket I frequent.
Post: Shopping around – you versus the grocery store
Link to comment from May 1, 2026
Too bad the down arrows are gone, because I’m sure that what I’m about to write will provoke disagreement. But I don’t think retirement savings should be the number 1 priority for young families. I wouldn’t necessarily do the Disney trip today, because the park has been corrupted by skip the line money, etc. But back in the day, my husband and I did take the kids — drove there and didn’t stay at a Disney property—and funded the trip with credit card debt. I am unapologetic for what we did. I believe that “experiences” shouldn’t be just for retirees: young families should enjoy them too. Kids are only small once. They should have opportunities with their parents to experience things that are out of the ordinary. I don’t think such events have to happen constantly— once in a while is good. My husband and I worked hard— and ultimately did save for retirement. The Disney trip probably did not constitute a major setback. But I’d have put all our data into a spreadsheet to be sure.
Post: Is saving really that hard? Nope, not for the great majority of Americans.
Link to comment from May 1, 2026
If the cost is charged, how can it be invested?
Post: Is saving really that hard? Nope, not for the great majority of Americans.
Link to comment from May 1, 2026
i think you may need to broaden your grocery shopping experience. Try going to Trader Joe’s or Aldi — no coupons of any kind and both are much smaller than the traditional supermarket. And then there’s Walmart, the biggest grocery seller in the US. The grocery market is quite segmented. The various formats appeal to different shoppers. I love to grocery shop— love them all!
Post: Shopping around – you versus the grocery store
Link to comment from May 1, 2026
Actually PepsiCo dropped its prices across the board— snacks as well as soft drinks. I’ve been buying 12 packs of Pepsi Zero at Walmart for little more than $6 for more than a month.
Post: Shopping around – you versus the grocery store
Link to comment from April 30, 2026
I should have thought about waiting! Excellent idea. Maybe she will get a summer job. Better if she can assume some responsibility for her spending. I can always help out if she needs the help. Thanks for the insight.
Post: How much to provide a college student monthly?
Link to comment from April 26, 2026
Our kids went to school in NYC, so no car and dorm all four years. We covered all housing, meal plans, books etc as well as tuition. They all had summer jobs and used that money for extras— no one had a job during the school year i don’t see that model as totally applicable for the granddaughter. She’s chosen—at latest report— a rural university where campus housing is guaranteed for only one year. Living in a college town, I know off campus housing is likely to be pricey and hard to get. I also don’t know how easy it will be for her to get a summer job; given the higher minimum wage in many states; I’ve noticed the businesses that hired our kids have cut back on teen workers. I’m feeling kind of relieved nobody has suggested the $100-150 a month that I mentioned in my post below to be totally outrageous enough to elicit a response. But if anyone does think that way, I be interested to know the rationale. I’m still struggling with this.
Post: How much to provide a college student monthly?
Link to comment from April 26, 2026
My granddaughter will be starting college in the fall. Her 529 will cover tuition, books, dorm etc. She’ll probably have a car at school— don’t think the 529 can be used for that . I was considering giving her $100-$150 a month. I’m not sure, but I don’t think she’s particularly financially responsible. I’m planning to provide the money each month. Good or bad idea?
Post: How much to provide a college student monthly?
Link to comment from April 25, 2026
Yup — stuff wears out and repairs can be pricey. But so far you've gotten 20 years with that a/c. I doubt a new unit will last that long. My son in law replaced his in a new house after 10 years. i think Dana has the right attitude. She and her husband saved for retirement. Now that it’s here, she’s willing to spend on what seems her best alternative.
Post: How it all pencils out–or at least, we hope so! (Our Big “Little” Move, Part 3)
Link to comment from April 23, 2026
My husband and I claimed at FRA. We both wanted to keep working, but we used the SS payments to buy plane tickets and rent an apartment near our then infant granddaughter. Worked very well. Eighteen years later, we still have that apartment and are still buying plane tickets. No regrets.
Post: Rethinking the “Right” Time for Social Security
Link to comment from April 23, 2026