I moved from the US to New Zealand for love. I forgot to build my own life when I got there.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The author and her husband in New Zealand.
The author said she regrets not building her own life when she first moved to New Zealand for love.

Courtesy of Ashlyn Oswalt.

I left my job to become a chocolatier. It was the right choice, but there are things I miss about corporate employment.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer sitting on a bench with her dog, surrounded by greenery.
I left corporate life to follow my dream of running a chocolate business.

Meredith Whitely

I hated living at home as a college student. My husband and I saved up so our kids could afford room and board.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
The author (left) lived at home as a college student, while their kid (right) will live on campus.
The author (left) lived at home as a college student, while their kid (right) will live on campus.

Courtesy of Lisa Galek

I live in the East Village and take a yearly staycation on the Upper West Side. There's no hassle.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author poses with her daughter in the window of a hotel room in NYC.
The author said she enjoys taking staying in a hotel just a few miles away from her home every year.

Courtesy of Blake Turck.

I racked up $20,000 in debt before 25. When I finally told my fiancé, his reaction shocked me.

Tech Insider : Business
Diana Gleason headshot
Diana Gleason went from being $20,000 in debt to starting her own accounting agency.

Courtesy of Diana Gleason

My husband and I have lived part-time in Mexico for 20 years. I walk all the time when I'm there and am now fluent in Spanish.

Tech Insider : Business
Louisa Rogers and her husband in Guanajuato, Mexico, on top of a hill.
The author and her husband live about half the year in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Courtesy of Louisa Rogers

My mom and I do the Wordle puzzle every day. It's an easy way for us to stay connected.

Tech Insider : Business
The author poses with her mother.
No matter what's happening in their lives, the author says she and her mother connect by playing Wordle every day.

Courtesy of Andrea Javor.

My partner and I have lived in a van for over 3 years. Sharing a small space has helped our relationship.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer, her husband, and her dog sitting in their yellow camper van.
When I tell people that my partner and I live together in a small van, they usually have questions.

Haley Young

I've spent over $6,000 on 'tweakments' to look good for my job. It helped at first, but I don't even recognize myself.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Woman smiling on bench
Investing in my appearance helped for a while, but I changed my perspective once I hardly recognized myself.

Hannah Van De Peer

My mom grieved the real talks dementia took away with my grandpa. I loved the nonsense ones.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman with grandfather
The author found new ways to talk to her grandfather when he had dementia.

Courtesy of the author

  • My grandpa's dementia made conversations unpredictable and confusing.
  • I learned to accept his reality instead of correcting him.
  • That approach helped us stay connected in a new way.

"What's your favorite color, grandpa?"

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