When my boyfriend and I blended our families and traditions, we realized we needed to form new traditions, too

Tech Insider : Business
The family enjoys a pizza
Simple traditions, like pizza night, are important to the author and her blended family (not pictured).

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I was accepted into a well-regarded graduate program. I turned down the offer because AI is destroying my desired industry.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
a woman sitting at her computer and writing in a notebook
The author (not pictured) decided not to enroll in graduate school.

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I stayed with my kids on an active volcanic island in Italy. It was the best trip of our lives.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Stromboli volcanic island

Photo by Gianni Sarasso/Getty Images

I spent summers volunteering and attending anti-war protests. I'm giving my kids manicures and lacrosse tournaments instead.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Style
Woman in NYC posing for photo
The author moved to NYC at age 21.

Courtesy of the author

My teenagers loved our trip to Italy. Booking a guided group tour made it easy for me.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author and her family at the Vatican Museum.
The author and her family went on a guided group trip of Italy.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

I spend $200 a week on groceries for my family of 5. Staying on budget is difficult, so I swear by these cost-saving strategies.

Tech Insider : Business
a woman on her phone while grocery shopping
The author (not pictured) uses coupons to save money on grocery shopping.

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My identical twins are very competitive. Their relationship got complicated when one started outperforming the other.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Style
Dad with twins
The author's twins have always been very competitive.

Courtesy of the author

We sold everything to start a new life with our 2 kids in Argentina. I don't know how long we'll stay, but so far it's worth it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Macarena Alvarez with her husband and two kids
Macarena Alvarez with her family in the snow.

Courtesy of Macarena Alvarez

A trip to Morocco with my mother-in-law made us closer than ever. We talk like we're friends.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The author with her mother-in-law smiling in Morocco with a camel behind them.
The author felt closer to her mother-in-law after a trip to Morocco.

Courtesy of Julia Reynolds

My husband and I stuck to traditional vows on our wedding day. 3 years later, I still regret that decision.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Ashley Archambault poses with her son and husband.
I knew I wanted my son to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day, but there's one thing I wish my husband and I had done differently.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault.

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