TruthHurts it's the little things that mean the most to teachers. Maybe have your kids write them a note telling them how they applied a standard or lesson to their everyday activities. Maybe like "Mrs./Mr (teachers name) I watched a show and I remember you teaching us about__________."

Or you can write a note thanking them for all the times they missed important events due to lesson planning, grading papers, staying late for after hour school functions.

If you want to spend money, don't spend a lot. Maybe some eye gel pads, a sheet mask and a white cloth. Little things matter most.

I'm like to think I'm really minimal, but I spend a lot on facials and skincare, I have a serious sneaker addiction and with teen boys my grocery bill is insane. We make good money, don't carry any debt and our home is paid off. Our kids go to private school and we have funded their 529s since birth, and have been otherwise investing for over 25 years. In our position, I feel comfortable spending how I do. Meg's spending makes me nervous, but I'll admit I'm fairly conservative when it comes to what I view as wasting money. I don't decant my entire pantry, I have cute bins but nothing like these YTers do (would be pointless anyway with how my kids eat). I don't buy every trend that comes down the pike and I try reallllllllly hard not to buy things that will just end up in the landfill in a year. Even my seasonal decor is nice/quality but I have a ton of it that I've collected over the years, adding a piece or three every season.

We were "poor" when we were young. Not like Meg and Justin seemed to be but we definitely had to budget in extras when we still had student loan debt, so I semi-understand her desire for better now that she's made some money but the thing with her is, the money isn't continuing to grow. My husband and I both grew in our careers, increasing our income, and therefore our saving/spending/budgeting habits have changed over the years to reflect that change -- as most people do. Meg seems to be making less than before but spending the same, if not more, than when she was making that doctor's pay.

There's nothing wrong with the life you live. It sounds like you've worked hard for it. The problem with Meg is not her desire for "stuff" we all want "stuff." Meg and Justin are condescending, arrogant, rebellious, insensitive humans. Meg prides herself on pushing the envelope. That is why she constantly post stories of how she wants Julie to "dare to be different." There's nothing wrong with charting your own course, but not at the expense of hurting others. Meg relishes in the fact that she was able to introduce Justin to a different way of thinking. She knew he came from a home of believers. Their faith was in God. It didn't matter to them if people viewed their faith as extreme, they were committed to the idea that they would rather die believing in God, than to die as unbelievers, only to find out that God was real. Meg prides herself on being able to take this very young man away from his parents, introduce him to ghost, paranormal ideologies, and now manifestation and energy. She knows what it's doing to his family, but she couldn't care less. She views that as empowerment. She thinks it's cool posting stories of herself as a nice girl battling some sort of inner demon. Meg has pushed away family and good friends because she views humility and submission as weakness. So her message to Julie is: "be a rebel. Who cares about school? When someone tries to offer you wisdom and constructive criticism, don't take it. You call the shots. As long as there's Botox, fillers, and filters, you'll make it in life." That's why she doesn't care to post much about Ross, because he's like the old Justin. Julie is like her. You are a good steward of your family's money; caring for others, and making smart choices. Meg views money as power and control over anyone who doesn't have a similar lifestyle. She truly wants to be the big fish. You are an example of financial freedom and humility. Meg doesn't possess those qualities, and that's why she's experiencing calamity.