The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

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…

Money, Budget, Parenting
Aug, 06, 2026
30 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…

Frugality
Aug, 05, 2026
25 Comments

On My Shelf: Books Read July 2026

For years—ever since starting university—my reading stats have absolutely tanked over the summer months.

Because I was doing so much intensive reading during the academic year, I wasn’t thrilled at the thought of reading…

Reading
Aug, 04, 2026
26 Comments

Never Have I Ever… Part 19.

I’m almost at the 20th edition of this little blog series, which means I’m within arm’s reach of listing 200 things I’ve never done!

Maybe when I get to Part 20, I’ll post all 200…

Happy Things Friday: 31 July

And just like that, we’ve reached the end of July. While the kids still have over a month before they head back to school, it feels like we’re beginning to amble down the runway…

How We Planned for 110 Days in Europe: Our Itinerary + Travel Planning Tips

At the end of our 110 days in Europe, I put out a call for reader questions. Because there were so many—and a fair amount of repetition—I’m going to answer them thematically spread across…

Travel, Ask Me (Almost) Anything, Euro Adventure, Planning
Jul, 30, 2026
16 Comments

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

We spent a full month living in Vienna as a family, and that gave us time to visit a lot of famous landmarks, check out different museums, use the public transit system (repeatedly!!), eat…

Life
Jul, 29, 2026
4 Comments

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

Recent Frugal Wins (Including Free Cheesecake and Discount Sneakers)

On My Shelf: Books Read July 2026

Never Have I Ever… Part 19.

Happy Things Friday: 31 July

How We Planned for 110 Days in Europe: Our Itinerary + Travel Planning Tips

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

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