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Author: Theodore Lee

Theodore Lee is the editor of Caveman Circus. He strives for self-improvement in all areas of his life, except his candy consumption, where he remains a champion gummy worm enthusiast. When not writing about mindfulness or living in integrity,  you can find him hiding giant bags of sour patch kids under the bed.
Advice Column

“I signed a terrible car deal, and now I feel trapped”

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I recently got a new car after going to a dealership for a promotion. I traded in my old car, and they gave me $3,000 toward the new one.

I was at the dealership for hours, pushing back on the price. Eventually, I got tired and made the decision to take the deal. I got too hasty and signed the contract without double checking everything before I walked out the door.

I didn’t get the price I wanted. The used car was listed around $42,000, which was already getting close to what it would cost new at about $55,000. After everything that was added to the deal, the total came out to around $73,000.

Read the rest: “I signed a terrible car deal, and now I feel trapped”
Life Advice

10 Common Argument Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Relationship (And How to Fix Them)

Arguments are a natural part of any relationship, but when they follow the same unproductive patterns, they can start to erode trust and intimacy. While conflict itself isn’t the problem, how we handle it often is. Based on decades of research and insights from relationship experts, here are some of the most common mistakes couples make when arguing—and how to correct them.

Read the rest: 10 Common Argument Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Relationship (And How to Fix Them)
Links

Linkage

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5 Small Things That Made Us Smile This Week – Ned Hardy

This mouse is one of those rare mice that genuinely makes working at a computer better, with an incredibly comfortable shape, near-silent clicks, customizable buttons, and a fantastic magnetic scroll wheel that can fly through huge documents in seconds. – Amazon

Inside North Korea’s Operation to Conquer the American Job Market – WSJ

Zuckerberg faces questions over why superyacht reportedly declined to help stranded boat – The Guardian

Bessent said the K-shaped economy ‘is over.’ Here’s what financial experts say – PBS

People Are ‘Marrying’ Chatbots. These Lawmakers Want to Stop Them – Archive.ph

Who is KD1, the bald eagle spotted in Jackie and Shadow’s nest? – PopSci

AI bots started a religion — humans immediately followed – Archive.ph

How consumers can get a refund for Trump tariffs struck down by Supreme Court – CBS News

24 Memes That Won The Internet This Week – Ned Hardy

These are the best rechargeable batteries I’d recommend to anyone. They last forever, hold their charge incredibly well, and save you from constantly buying disposable AAs and AAAs. – Amazon

What the Lakers’ sale says about the bleak new era of NBA ownership. – The Ringer

Trump sued over service selling faster access to Truth Social posts – NPR

These Wild Truck-Mounted Crash Barriers Exist Because Drivers Can’t Stop Staring at Their Phones – The Drive

New Technique for Ruining Flock Cameras Just Dropped – Gizmodo

Answers

How Are Parents Allowed to Homeschool Their Kids Without Teaching Credentials?

homeschool

There is something slightly bizarre about homeschooling that we don’t talk about enough.

If you want to teach third grade at a public school, you’ll generally need a degree, teacher preparation, certification or licensure, background checks, and continuing professional development.

If you want to teach your own third grader?

In many states, the requirements are dramatically lower.

Read the rest: How Are Parents Allowed to Homeschool Their Kids Without Teaching Credentials?
Advice Column

“I Do Everything for My Daughter and She Still Isn’t Grateful”

I’m 39M, and I have my daughter, “Rose,” 9F, every other weekend, from Friday after school until Monday morning. My ex wife has her the majority of the time.

Rose has been diagnosed with ADHD. Parenting her can be difficult. I still have to monitor her closely, make sure she finishes her homework before watching TV, repeat myself because she doesn’t always listen, and be extremely patient with her. My ex and I also split the cost of a math tutor because Rose has trouble focusing in class.

Read the rest: “I Do Everything for My Daughter and She Still Isn’t Grateful”
Answers

What Happens When the Middle Class Disappears?

dissappearing middle class

The middle class is easy to take for granted because, when it is healthy, it is almost invisible.

It is the family that owns a modest house, takes one vacation a year, replaces the car when it gets old, saves a little for retirement, and occasionally goes out to dinner without checking the bank account first. It is the teacher, electrician, nurse, accountant, small-business owner, technician, and office worker who may never become wealthy but reasonably expects that decades of work will produce a comfortable life.

Read the rest: What Happens When the Middle Class Disappears?