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The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

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The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

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  • TRAVEL

Packing for Long-Term Travel: What Worked for 110 Days in Europe

  • Travel, Ask Me (Almost) Anything, Euro Adventure
  • Aug 13, 2026
  • 0 Comments

When I first wrote about our plan to spend months exploring Europe, one detail received some extra attention: the fact that we were each taking a single (small, wheeled) carry-on suitcase and one backpack per person. Plenty of you said there was NO way you could travel so lightly!! When I asked if anyone had…

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Do You Have to Stop at the End of a Chapter? + 3 More Questions for Readers

It was SO much fun to read the comment section on my last bookish question post, so I thought I’d conjure up some more questions for my fellow readers!

Here goes!

DO YOU “HAVE” TO STOP…

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  • Reading
  • Aug, 12, 2026
  • 26 Comments

My Endometrial Ablation Experience: 3.5 Years Later

A few women I know personally are currently considering having an endometrial ablation, and I’ve found myself unexpectedly talking about my endometrial ablation experience a lot in recent weeks.

I’ve written before—at considerable length—about my…

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  • Life
  • Aug, 11, 2026
  • 26 Comments

Best Things to Do in Helsinki: Family-Friendly Attractions, Hidden Gems + Easy Day Trips

We spent a full month living in Helsinki as a family, which gave us time to experience the city quite differently than we would have during a quick weekend visit (though my brother and…

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  • Travel, Euro Adventure, Helsinki
  • Aug, 10, 2026
  • 4 Comments

Happy Things Friday: 7 August

It’s 6:30 am on Friday. John is already downstairs on a work call, Indy is sleeping, Belle is nestled in a cabin at camp (with pre-primary to Grade 2 girls, GOD BLESS HER SOUL),…

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  • Happy Things Friday
  • Aug, 07, 2026
  • 31 Comments

Tween and Teen Allowance and Income: Our System for Giving, Saving, and Fun Money

A few weeks ago, in a Happy Things Friday post, I mentioned wanting to come up with a more robust savings plan for Belle.

She’s been babysitting fairly frequently, and while I love that she’s…

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  • Money, Budget, Parenting
  • Aug, 06, 2026
  • 28 Comments

Recent Frugal Wins (Including Free Cheesecake and Discount Sneakers)

A quick(ish) post for your Wednesday with some recent frugal wins.

Free Anniversary Cheesecake

The restaurant where we go to celebrate our wedding anniversary each year always asks (when we’re making a reservation) if we’re celebrating…

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  • Frugality
  • Aug, 05, 2026
  • 24 Comments
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Hi! I'm Elisabeth...

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    • Packing for Long-Term Travel: What Worked for 110 Days in Europe

      August 13, 2026

    • Do You Have to Stop at the End of a Chapter? + 3 More Questions for Readers

      August 12, 2026

    • My Endometrial Ablation Experience: 3.5 Years Later

      August 11, 2026

    © 2026 Freya Theme by Sparrow and Snow | Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy