u/CaffeinatedPinecones

I purchased a pair from REI back in 2011. I wore the crap out of those and loved them. I think the modern day version would the Z1. In 2022 (11 years later), the soles on both simultaneously started to come unglued. I sent them off and the soles were replaced under warranty. When they were returned, I could immediately tell the Vibram sole wasn’t as thick. 2 years later they started bubbling and wore down almost completely bare. I sent send them back again, and was told the next repair will not be under warranty. The cost to ship them was $15, it’s going to cost another roughly $55 to have them repaired. Plus, I was informed that the wait would be at least another month, which is eating into the summer.

There’s a certain nostalgia about getting my old sandals back, but I’m also looking online and seeing I could get a replacement pair for $110. The ones I shipped off still have the original straps and buckles.

On the flipside, I’m not entirely sure how the quality on the newer ones is. Am I going to regret giving up my old ones. Or be thrilled I let them and just got something new to enjoy.

I’ve been observing a lot of the chatter about people being kicked off SAVE. I’ve been on the extended standard repayment plan with Nelnet for years now. I have $32,000 left, I usually pay about $150-$200 more than what my payment requires. But I can’t afford the income based payment plan, so I feel like I’m at a good place in the middle. Is there something I’m missing? Am I about to be kicked off this plan because I thought I was good with my existing payment plan since my loans are older?

I live in a 1960s home with an all tile shower. I previously had a lot of mold and caulking issues. We moved into the house a couple of years ago. This far I’ve done the following.

1. Scraped out all old grout with a carbide scraper. I didn’t want to risk an oscillating multitool since I’m not experienced with that tool and I have some old tile, that will be very difficult to replace.
2. Scraped away all of the old caulk.
3. Generosity sprayed the entire surface down with a mold remediation spray (bleach based), using a toothbrush on some areas.

I was watching a few different videos this morning with different techniques, and one of the videos was of a guy indicating that all his old stains came through. One of the YouTube comments indicated that it’s because he needed to dampen his wall, something about how the grout needs to absorb moisture. I’m not sure I’m fully following it.

Can someone provide any insight into this? I’m honestly not handy, I’m starting to second-guess myself. Because I was hoping to get started on this today. And now I’m wondering if I need to change my technique entirely and if my timeline is going to be extended. This is my only shower.

My hope was the following:

1. Regrout this morning (Saturday)
2. Recaulk tomorrow morning (Sunday).
3. Reseal Monday morning.
4. Use my shower on Tuesday!

Mother’s Day is tomorrow and I would like to get my wife something nice. I don’t have a lot of cash, but would like a ring or necklace for her, maybe around $50 or less. She likes earthy/natural looking themes. Any recommendations out there?