LPT - No legitimate organization will ask for bitcoin or gift cards as a form of payment
This may seem obvious to some people, but as scammers get better at what they do, they make their schemes to steal from you more and more plausible.
If you’re in communication with what seems like a completely legitimate business and they ask for bitcoin or gift cards, end the communication right away, and call your bank directly from the number listed on their official website.
I know two people who nearly lost thousands of dollars to scams like this in the past year, and I think both of them could have avoided the situation if someone had directly informed them that gift cards and bitcoin are suspicious forms of payment. I hope this post can be the tiny nugget of information someone needs to save themselves from a lot of trouble!
https://redd.it/1astlpi
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: use a frisbee when organizing small hardware - the lip is curved so you can slide hard to grab items up
https://redd.it/1asrbfm
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Remove a totalled vehicle from your car insurance
When you've had an accident and insurance totals the vehicle, some companies (I'm looking at you, Progressive) do not automatically remove the vehicle from the policy, even after they've physically and legally taken possession of it, including the keys and title. You may need to actually tell them to remove the vehicle from your policy. With Progressive, you can remove it effective "today" via the app, but you'll need to call them to have it removed retroactively back to the day after the accident.
https://redd.it/1asexh0
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Make your own bouquet if you have a Trader Joe’s or other flower market near you.
We all just went through the heaven and hell of Valentine’s Day and I’m sure many people are bemoaning the amount they spend on flowers. But there’s a simple hack, don’t buy the bouquets go to places like Trader Joe’s where they sell a bunch of different flower bunches for 1.99-4.99 (the roses were 4.99) pick out your girls favorite colors grab about 2 main flowers for example I got one set of red roses and one of purple. Then you want to buy 2-3 fillers pick things that make the colors pop and also show cases the main flowers. Once you’re home then just take them out of their packaging, separate them and lay them all flat. Once that’s been accomplished start with one flower and add another and another spinning the bouquet as you make it and making sure there’s a balance of everything so it looks professional. I spent $20 on a bouquet that looked better than the $40-$50 ones and you’ll win big points with your girl if you say you made her a bouquet instead of just buying one. Ive had 14 valentines days and this trick blows women away every single time to where they’re showing off to everyone they know and it’s like 5-10 minutes of effort and $20 for a huge romantic win.
https://redd.it/1as318z
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: use bath/hand towels for one last grimey job at the end of their lives
You’d be amazed how well of a job nicer towels do wiping down a shower floor, bathroom floor etc do. If you’re going to be throwing them out anyway give them send off with a bang
https://redd.it/1artywq
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Pest Proofing with Steel Wool? Dip it in quick set cement first.
Mix a bucket of loose quick set cement and dunk your steel wool in it before you stuff the gaps or holes. It will stay in place and be impossible to chew through.
https://redd.it/1arsfd9
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: If you're feeling fapstalgic and want to watch videos from a specific year on Pornhub, you can use the "before:" and "after:" search operators... on Google.
Let's say you want to see a twerk video from 2015. Just search like this on Google:
twerk before:2016-01-01 after:2014-12-31 site:pornhub.com/view_video.php
That'll give you results for twerk videos available after December 31st, 2014 and before January 1st, 2016.
https://redd.it/1ar8ey0
@r_lifeprotips
LPT (USA Taxes) -- If you're using free federal tax software, and they want to charge you to file your STATE taxes, search to see if your state offers free state filing
Unfortunately, I spent $40 to file my state taxes (federal was free), only to find out that they don't e-file. Instead they charged me $40 to print out my state taxes so I could mail them off. Usually, state taxes are easy if you've already got your federal taxes done, but I was being lazy.
I ended up going to California's Franchise Tax Board site, and there's a free online tax program that took me maybe thirty minutes to fill out for me and my wife with multiple W2s. If you live in California, here's the link below.
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/ways-to-file/online/calfile/index.asp
Edit: This is intended to be general advice. The second paragraph and link are specific to California. When I said in the title to look up YOUR STATE's tax return site, you should do that for the state you live in. If you happen to live in CA, I've already provided a link to make it easier. Sorry, but I'm far too lazy to find and post links for the other states.
https://redd.it/1ar3pdi
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Temping 20hrs a week but very little to do. How should I optimize my time?
I can have my cell and bring books to read. No AirPods or laptop however.
Any recs on courses/certificates/books to read while Im on the job? Open to ideas…how would you spend 20 hrs a week?
https://redd.it/1ar0kvk
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: never connect your iPhone to print pictures at CVS if you have a “hidden” album
IT WILL DISPLAY ALL YOUR HIDDEN PHOTOS!!!! I was absolutely devastated when my private photos in my “hidden” album was fully displayed at cvs while there was a man waiting to use the machine behind me. WHAT THE HELL!!!!!???
The “Hidden” album on iPhone is only accessible through faceID or entering your passcode - but at CVS it’s on full display no matter what.
I recommend using the WiFi method for printing photos at CVS so that all your photos aren’t on display.
https://redd.it/1aqs5sx
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: for cleaning your stove if you have some difficult to remove old stains. Spray some oven cleaner on it, distribute it and then cover the stove with cling film for the night.
Now you can just wipe it, without much scrubbing. Worked wonders on mine!
https://redd.it/1aqo87k
@r_lifeprotips
LPT Label all your paint, light bulbs and batteries for easy identification
It's taken me 50+ years to realise that whenever I decorate or change a light bulb or a battery in an appliance it really helps if I label the leftover cans/packets to say exactly where I used them. That way I can easily find find the right ones next time.
Also, if you're doing up your house, keep a small pocket sized notebook in your handbag/glove compartment with all your room dimensions and colour swatches. That way, if you're out and happen to see something that you really want to buy for your home you can tell if it will fit and if the colour will work.
https://redd.it/1aqnjzi
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: If your earbuds fall off during use and you fail to locate them, play high frequency sounds on them, locate by sound
Works great if the place is quiet. Youtube has some videos that start with 0hz and go up to 20k Hz or more. Lost and found mine couple of times using this trick.
Edit: True wireless earbuds
https://redd.it/1aq29gc
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Glasses wearers, get a Keychain microfiber cloth.
This has honestly been a huge game changer, growing up I would always clean my glasses with my shirt, and the lenses would would need replaced each year because of how scuffed they were. One day during a trade show, one of the trinkets they had was this little Keychain microfiber cloth that tucks away in a little pocket and since then I've had it everywhere I go and one in each room of my home. My lenses have since lasted years and have very minor wear on them (even without using spray.)
https://redd.it/1aq0w46
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: When moving- Bigger boxes are for bigger items and NOT more items.
Don't get a bigger box just so you can stuff more books or something in it. It becomes insanely heavy, and it doesn't save any more space. do your back a favor and get yourself a few more boxes.
https://redd.it/1apz71o
@r_lifeprotips
LPT MOVING/LIVING ALONE FIRST TIME
Ill be moving from my parents house alone for the first time as M/19 to a foreign country. I was hoping to get advice on what skills are needed and things i should know when moving out for the first time. My parents will be financially supporting me at the start to get settled, but after that im on my own. Any advice would be appreciated. (moving to the middle east)
https://redd.it/1asodgz
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: If you have smelly feet, check if your socks are made of polyester. Sweat infused polyester gets smelly over time, even if you wash it regularly.
Consider switching to pure cotton socks instead. This applies to all of your clothes, not just your socks!
Smell typically doesn't come from sweat. It typically comes from bacteria or fungus. Sweat can exacerbate already present bacteria and fungi to smell even worse.
Also make sure you wash with a mildly anti bacterial soap once in a while. A lot of body washes have no anti bacterial properties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJVYTnFjiFg
https://redd.it/1asi9ma
@r_lifeprotips
LPT - Save energy boiling water by covering your pots!
Absolute game changer, cuts down on cooking time too!
https://redd.it/1asdwdq
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: if you're in college in the US and you have to pick between two discussion sections on the same day, pick the later one
I'm a TA in college and most of us have back to back sections on the same day. We hold the first section completely unrehearsed, but by the time the second one rolls around we're more confident delivering the material, know what things students tend to be unclear about or interested in, and have probably made mistakes that we now know how to avoid.
I also don't like 8 AMs, so I'm trying to get as few of you to sign up for them as possible.
https://redd.it/1arxh56
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Avoid microwaving food in the tupperware container they were stored in.
For example, if you reheat spaghetti, the greasy sauce will stain the container orange and there will be little chance of srubbing it clean again.
https://redd.it/1artiqo
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: When you get a cold call from your "Mobile Carrier" offering you an amazing deal, ask them what your name is. If they don't know it, then it's very likely a scam.
https://redd.it/1ars7ep
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: If you're feeling nostalgic and want to watch videos from a specific year on Youtube, you can use the "before:" and "after:" search operators.
For example, if you want to watch cat videos from 2010, you can search like this:
cat videos before:2011-01-01 after:2009-12-31
That'll give you results for cat videos available after December 31st, 2009 and before January 1st, 2011.
https://redd.it/1ar53rb
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Don't let your auto policies renew
My auto policy (Progressive) was randomly going up from $641->$791 for no reason. I went through and got a new quote and it ended up being $632 with a better deductible. After talking with support about this, it seems there are quite a few discounts that you get for starting and signing a new policy that will drop off when it renews. Apparently there are no penalties for doing this and you even retain loyalty rewards. Just make sure your new policy is set to start when the previous ends and call to make sure the current one will be cancelled to save some money.
I haven't tried with other companies but I bet there is some other similar discounts you can receive for a new policy vs. letting it renew.
https://redd.it/1ar2sib
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: Learn to accept that people that are terrible to you will often thrive in life
One thing that many people really struggle with is seeing someone who has wronged them succeed afterwards. The temptation to wish them failure will pester you continuously and the only real way to let it go is to just accept that life is just random, you have no control over such things and focus on your own success.
https://redd.it/1aqujzw
@r_lifeprotips
LPT If you are gathering all of your tax statements, good time to start a list of financial accounts for your spouse/beneficiary in case you die.
I have rules setup to distribute passwords to her, but a nice concise list of all of our accounts will save a lot of frustration. Just doing this during tax prep when I have everything in one spot. Long overdue. Example, I have a small life insurance policy that came with a credit union account.
https://redd.it/1aqswvi
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: If you are happy with a vendor, be sure to tell their manager. A simple compliment goes a long way... for your benefit too.
Source: I am a vendor. And when my customer does that, I go well beyond what is expected in providing service to them.
https://redd.it/1aqoa54
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: When buying a used car, even if you don't know anything about them, use a flashlight to light up any crevice of the car and look for anything out of the ordinary. The seller might assume you are a mechanic or at least have knowledge of cars, and will be aprehensive if they're hiding something.
I'm on the market for a used car and right from the start I decided to use a flashlight whenever I inspected a car. Rigth from the bat, a couple of sellers prohibited me from using it, others where nervous and followed me like a hawk answering in an abrassive manner whenever I had questions but those who where open to inspections, answered politely and even offered to do some repairs if needed. IMO, they tended to have the best cars.
In summary, using a flashlight to inspect a car is a great way to not only do a proper analysis but to deter seedy sellers and unserviced cars.
https://redd.it/1aqdnlr
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: When calling a company rep or HR with a complaint always start off with "First off, let me just state that if I sound frustrated or angry that I know this isn't your fault, and...
"First off, let me just state that if I sound frustrated or angry that I know this isn't your fault, and I'm not angry or frustrated with you, just in general, and I know you're just here trying to help me resolve it."
Most of these reps get yelled at and go into situations not knowing what to expect. This opening lets them know what situation is coming (customer complaint), let's them know you are not blaming them as so many do, and puts them in the best state of mind to help you. Moreover, it makes them want to help you for having shown that small gesture from the start.
Not sure when I started doing it, but I've always had a pleasant experience by doing it.
https://redd.it/1aq3791
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: At a school function where your kid is on stage (after or before the performance starts), always tell them which part or direction of the hall will you be standing in so that they can find you in the crowd. That smile and wave will make their day when they see you from stage.
If their school has a particular hall where these events are usually held, always tell your kid, ‘I’ll be seated on the left side of the hall next to the second door’ or ‘when you performance is over, look for me closer to the center of the hall where the main camera is’. There is no better joy than seeing your kid smile when their eyes are darting through the crowds, trying to look for you, and they spot you.
https://redd.it/1apyyd9
@r_lifeprotips
LPT: If you appreciate a clean home, but hate cleaning, focus on MAINTENANCE rather than avoidance.
Instead of avoiding cleaning your house, and letting it get to a certain point of dirtiness before you clean it, instead just spend seconds or minutes throughout your day/week to maintain cleanliness. This ultimately leads you to have to do less 'big cleans', and enjoy a cleaner home more often.
Examples:
• After you wash your dishes, quickly rinse the sink with your hand/a sponge, this stops grime from building up around the sink.
• Keep a squeegee in your shower and squeegee the glass after every shower (bonus points for squeegeeing water down the drain too), and leave the shower door OPEN if you have one. Getting water off the glass will help prevent water spots and foggy glass, squeegeeing water down the drain and leaving the door open will help the shower to dry out more quickly and prevent mould.
(I do this and I almost never have to clean my shower, at most it takes me 30 seconds, but saves me hours in cleaning my shower every year)
• SCRUB YOUR TOILET! It takes just a few seconds. And it's not just for poop stains, urea in urine can also stain insides of toilets, and the inside can just get gross in general. Every day or every other day, just give it a quick scrub, it's worth it.
• Invest in a cordless vacuum and keep it somewhere super accessible. I had a vacuum that was really loud, and it needed an extension cord, and it was big and bulky in my cupboard, and I just hated using it, so my house often went unvaccuumed for weeks. Then, I invested $160 into a cordless vacuum, made it easily accessible, and now I vacuum at least 1-2 times a week and love having clean floors. (Or a robot vacuum, they can be good too apparently)
• Speaking of floors, seriously consider becoming a no-shoe household if you're not already. Drastically decreases the amount of dirt and dust and other gross things on your floor and carpet.
• Back to the shower, when you're finished, use your hands to 'squeegee' the water off your body, this will lead to a much drier bath mat/floor, and a drier towel. This means the towels won't get stinky and mildewy so quickly, and your floor won't get so wet.
• Never underestimate how much you can do in 5 mins or less. A quick tidy up before bed, putting away some dishes, taking out the trash, small things can make a big difference!
That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure there are plenty of small things you could do that will make cleaning easier and less of a hassle for you personally.
Source: I used to be a professional domestic cleaner and learned a LOT about what not to do. I've seen some things 🙃😳
Let me know if you want more tips or stories 😂
https://redd.it/1aprva4
@r_lifeprotips
