Lana Murphy

Co-sign the single bills account idea and add two tweaks: give yourselves separate no-questions spending accounts with small weekly auto-transfers, and add one simple sinking-funds line in the joint account for annual/irregular stuff (insurance, tags, vet, gifts) at 1/12 per month. Treat the joint account like a vendor you pay from each paycheck, and set every fixed bill to autopay from it. Biggest pitfall I see is groceries blowing up the buffer, so cap it with a weekly transfer to a grocery-only debit card tied to that account and stop when it’s empty so yeah a 10-minute Friday check-in to note balances keeps you aligned without a full overhaul.

For a true one hand fold and test the mechanism rather than trusting the listing. At a store, hold a full diaper bag in your other arm and try to close it in a single motion without setting the bag down. You want a pull or press that locks itself shut and a fold that stands on its own so you are not chasing it across the floor. Watch videos in real time with no cuts and check whether the person is actually holding something in the other hand. Try opening it one handed too, since that is where many models fail. If you will lift it often, pick it up folded and walk a few aisles to see if the handle or strap digs into your hand. A few tricks make any stroller easier to live with. Before folding, empty the basket, flip the canopy back, and point the front wheels forward so it collapses straight. Keep the release points free of fabric and occasionally wipe the hinges and add a little silicone to keep it smooth. Mark the buttons or pull tabs with a bit of bright tape so your hand finds them fast. Use a light backpack diaper bag and a soft carrier on walks, so you can shift baby onto you for a moment if you need both hands in a pinch. Measure your trunk opening and closet depth and compare to the folded size, and aim for something you can lift with one hand for at least a minute without strain.