• Bob Robertson IX@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    2 years ago

    I saw a similar thread on Reddit about 12 years ago and one of the suggestions near the bottom that didn’t have any comments on it is something I’ve incorporated into my daily life and it has made a huge difference: Adjust your car mirrors so you have no blind spots.

    Most people have their side mirrors adjusted where they can see a portion of their own car in the mirror. This leaves you with large blind spots. To adjust them where you have no blind spots, sit in the driver’s seat and lean your head over to the left as far as you can (basically putting your head on the window), then adjust the driver’s side mirror to where you can just barely see your car in it. Then lean your head over to the passenger side about the same amount and adjust that mirror.

    When adjusted properly if you can see a car in your rearview mirror, you shouldn’t be able to see that car in your side mirrors, but as soon as a car is no longer visible in the rearview mirror it should be visible in one of your side mirrors. Then when it is no longer visible in your side mirror it should be in your peripheral vision.

    It takes some getting used to, but once dialed in and you’re used to it then it makes changing lanes a breeze. It also helps at night if someone behind you has bright lights because you’ll only see them in one mirror instead of all 3.

  • Dharma Curious (he/him)@slrpnk.net
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    2 years ago

    This one is sort of very specific and niche, but as a caregiver of someone with an ostomy, you can take a roll of this disposable plastic produce bags from the grocery store. Terrible for use as a produce bag because they’re plastic and disposable and whatnot, but for bag empties when you need to use something disposable no matter what? They’re invaluable.

    Also doggy poop bags. Great for that. Just grab one of the small almost empty rolls, and tell the cashier “I’mma take these” and no one gives a shit

        • interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          2 years ago

          And here is further further elaboration

          Is this advice real ? ChatGPT said:

          Yes, the advice being shared is based on the concept of moistening toilet paper to improve cleanliness. Using a moist wipe can reduce irritation and make the cleaning process more efficient. Spitting on toilet paper is one DIY approach to achieving the effect of a moist wipe when no other options, like a bidet or wet wipes, are available.

          That being said, there are better alternatives than using saliva, such as dampening toilet paper with water, using wet wipes (if safe for plumbing), or using bidets, which are specifically designed for better hygiene. Saliva contains enzymes and bacteria that may not be ideal for the sensitive skin around the anus. So, while the advice may be practical in a pinch, it’s not necessarily the best or most hygienic long-term solution.

          You said: I believe you are wrong, saliva is in fact superior, exactly because of the enzymes, increased viscosity and body temperature warm.

          ChatGPT said:

          You’re correct that saliva has unique properties, such as enzymes (like amylase), increased viscosity, and being body-temperature warm, which can aid in certain situations. However, whether or not these properties make it superior for cleaning after using the toilet is up for debate, and hygiene considerations need to be taken into account.

          Enzymes and Cleaning: Saliva contains enzymes like amylase, which help break down starches. While this is useful for digestion, its role in cleaning the skin after defecation might be minimal, as most of what you're cleaning won't be significantly affected by enzymes meant for breaking down food.
          
          Viscosity and Warmth: The increased viscosity and body warmth of saliva might make it more effective at providing a gentle, less abrasive clean compared to dry toilet paper. This could also be more comfortable and reduce irritation.
          
          Bacteria in Saliva: The downside, however, is that saliva contains a large number of bacteria, which are generally harmless in the mouth but could potentially cause infections or irritation when introduced to the sensitive skin around the anus.
          

          While saliva might provide some benefits, especially in a situation where no other options are available, using water, dampened toilet paper, or a proper hygiene product like a wet wipe or bidet is still generally considered safer and more effective for maintaining good hygiene.

          So while there’s a point to your argument about saliva’s properties, health professionals would likely still recommend other methods as more hygienic in the long run.

      • bradboimler@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        2 years ago

        I don’t use an ad blocker. I do mind ads but I also want to adhere to the social contact: I subject myself to ads for the free content.

          • dan@upvote.au
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            0
            ·
            2 years ago

            Your data really isn’t worth that much.

            Also, it’s a common misconception that large tech companies like Google and Meta sell your data. They don’t. The data is what makes the company valuable - they’re not going to give away their competitive advantage. Instead, advertisers can target people based on the data. The advertisers never actually see the data nor exactly who their ads are reaching (it’s just aggregate anonymized data).

            On Google and Facebook, even individuals can use the same tools that large advertisers use to list their ads, and see exactly what they see.

  • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    2 years ago

    In the US, if you’re a first time homebuyer you can buy a home with zero cash in hand. You can roll closing costs into the mortgage and have no down-payment. You’ll pay more out of pocket for a few years but in many areas it’s still cheaper than rent - and rent just keeps going up while a mortgage stays the same. Many states also have free programs where you can take a class and they’ll give you a grant towards buying a home.

    Credit unions tend to have the best rates. Get into a credit union even if it’s just a secondary account that you toss $5 into each paycheck.

    Also, there are programs through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for first time homebuyers that prioritizes them over investors. This is the easiest way to get into homeownership but the houses are usually fixer uppers.

    • psilotop@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      2 years ago

      People don’t do this because it’s not a good idea for almost everyone. If you don’t put money down, your monthly payment will be astronomical, and THEN you will have to pay PMI on top of that (which isn’t applied to the mortgage OR interest) until you hit 20% paid. That money is thrown away and depending on where you live, it can be close to a rent payment on its own, without the actual mortgage payment. If you can afford a massive mortgage with PMI, you can afford to save a down payment. The only time I would do what you suggest is if my income was way more than rent and I was in a rush to move into a house.

      Fannie and Freddie are legit, use them!

      • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        2 years ago

        In what reality is PMI close to a rent payment? It doesn’t seem like you know what you’re talking about.

        I think you’re dramatically overestimating how much it will add to a mortgage to use this strategy. For example, let’s look at a $250,000 home - the average for my area.

        If you put 20% down, your payment will be $1242/mo plus Property Taxes. Certainly cheaper than rent, but most folks don’t have $50,000 sitting around.

        So let’s say you put $0 down and roll $9000 closing costs into your mortgage. Your monthly payment will be $1,843 of which only $214 is PMI. Still cheaper than the average rent in my area.

        Even if you’re buying a $1mil home with this strategy, the PMI would only be $850/mo. Where are you getting that PMI would be close to a mortgage payment?? You seem to be regurgitating bad faith advice that keeps people scared of homeownership when the reality is that it’s an excellent move for many folks.

        • psilotop@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          2 years ago

          We live in very different places. Multiply most of those numbers by about 6 and you have my area. I’m not exaggerating - 3 bedroom attached house of 1.5million, mortgage of 6.5k, PMI of $2500. Average rent is 2-3k for a 1 bedroom.

          I’ve lived it. If your average home is $250k, your situation is nothing like mine or half the country that lives in cities. Your advice only applies to rural areas with extremely low cost of living.