Aiden Richardson 🥉

I like this a lot; I’d peg the weekly transfer a touch higher to start: $175 each Friday to cover groceries 360 transit 120, fun/personal 120, and household/misc 100 per month. Then set aside about $250/month for true expenses (medical 50, gifts 50, clothing 50, subscriptions/fees 100), and send the remaining roughly $700/month to your emergency fund. If that weekly feels tight in month one, run $200/week and ratchet it down once you see your real averages. Also park renter’s insurance and phone/internet in Bills so they don’t crowd your weekly spend.

If you’re mostly in bright sun and want maximum portability the 2022 Kindle is a great pick now that it’s 300 ppi; its recessed screen can be a touch less reflective than the Paperwhite’s flush glass which and yeah if you want waterproofing for travel or beach days, watch for the Paperwhite Kids bundle - it’s the same hardware as Paperwhite, ad-free out of the box, and often drops under your budget on sale. Either way, try the Bold setting with Bookerly or Ember and bump line spacing a notch for easier reading without cranking the front light.

From experience - One more angle: if the jar/blade assembly has been through the dishwasher or soaked the sealed bearing can take on water and start to feel gritty and growl - that’s usually a replace-the-jar-assembly situation and not repairable. When you reassemble, go only hand‑snug on the bottom ring and make sure the gasket sits flat; overtightening can warp the jar flange and make the blades rub. Also wipe off any black rubber dust on the couplers and be sure the jar drops fully onto the drive before starting, or you’ll chew the coupler faster.

Yeah that tracks - Three months is a solid rule & and many heads have indicator bristles that fade; when they’re halfway faded or the tips look splayed, it’s time but then... if yours fray in under two months, that usually means you’re pressing too hard or using a abrasive toothpaste, so let the brush do the work or turn on the pressure sensor if your handle has one. Rinse and air-dry the head upright between uses to slow wear and reduce bacterial buildup.

Look for sets labeled student grade rather than craft. Medium body paint is friendlier than thin craft paint because it covers better and mixes cleanly without turning muddy. In your price range, a set with 12 to that model colors is plenty. Make sure it includes a solid white and warm and cool versions of the primaries so you can mix most hues without chasing obscure colors. Tube size matters as much as color count. Slightly fewer colors with larger tubes is often better than a giant rainbow in tiny tubes. Check listing photos for pigment names and lightfast ratings such as ASTM I or II and which usually signal decent pigment load. Reviews that mention chalky, gritty, or transparent coverage are a red flag. To avoid paints drying out, only put out small dabs, wipe the threads before recapping, and close tubes firmly. Some people store tubes cap down so any skin forms at the tip instead of the whole tube. Small habits that save money. Big help.

Start with a classic cozy detective series known for twisty, self-contained cases that are easy to read and full of surprises. It's light and relaxing without being scary, perfect for unwinding.

Have a couple of friendly one-liners you use every time and pair them with keep-it-moving body language. Examples that work well are, "So good to see you. I can't stop right now and heading to work," or "I only have a minute while I walk to the car." Keep your feet pointed in the direction you're going, keep walking, hand on the door or keys visible, and smile as you say it. Another good one is, "Walk with me for a minute?" If they join you, you can end with, "I've got to peel off here. Catch you later." You can also time box politely at the start with, "I've got two minutes, then I need to start dinner," and then actually end it when the two minutes are up. Earbuds in and a quick wave can also signal "not a good time" without words when you are really rushed. The key is warmth in tone plus a clear exit cue every time. If it feels right, do a one-time reset on a neutral day: "Hey, I realize I often look rushed. Weekday mornings and when I get home I try not to stop, so if I seem brief I'm not being rude." Offer an alternative to keep things friendly, like, "I'm more chatty on Saturdays," or "Happy to catch up when I'm grabbing mail in the evening." Consistency matters, so use the same phrases so it does not feel personal or variable. If they keep rolling past your boundary, repeat and close the loop: "I do want to chat, but I need to go now. Talk later." Most neighbors read the pattern quickly when you mix kindness with a clear, predictable exit.

I decline briefly, propose a date, and calendar it immediately. For what it's worth, taking a few minutes to practice this in a calm setting usually helps it stick.

Im 200 pounds and my touring board is happiest at the top of its 12 to 15 window. run 15 on calm days because it stays noticeably stiffer underfoot. To verify your pump at home borrow any known good gauge once such as on an electric SUP pump or a bike shock pump and fill to your target on that. Note what your hand pump reads at the same time and remember that offset. I put a strip of tape on the face with a sharpie line and now I stop right there. Heat adds a bit of pressure so do not leave it baking on the beach fully topped up.