EntropySink

Nothing & Everything => Open Discussion => Topic started by: ober on July 09, 2018, 03:22:54 PM

Title: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on July 09, 2018, 03:22:54 PM
I've been thinking about asking this on the forums for a while and maybe we did it a while ago but I figure it can't hurt to do again.  And 'tips' could be wide ranging.  My goal is to gather sage advice from you all because I think every one of you has good ideas and I trust you all so I want to lean into that and gain something from it and give back at the same time. 


I will start.  The point is to give one piece of advice per reply.  Something that you've learned over time, or something you do to maintain your house that you never would have thought of previously.


My first tip: Find one thing that makes you happy and don't feel guilty about spending money on it.  I know too many people that try to go cheap on everything but are completely miserable.  If you can find one thing (eating out, buying shoes, etc.), do it and don't feel guilty about spending money on that if other things that don't bring you happiness are easily done on the cheap.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on July 10, 2018, 08:19:46 AM
You don't get tact when you act in conspiracies that have to be uncovered through discreet tips and leaked emails. You don't get the courtesy of diplomacy after you have attacked someone's character, in secret, in a manner that has led to doors being closed on them. What you get is a healthy dose of wisdom delivered directly to your inbox.
Ethic.... what did you do?
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Perspective on July 10, 2018, 01:04:21 PM

My first tip: Find one thing that makes you happy and don't feel guilty about spending money on it.  I know too many people that try to go cheap on everything but are completely miserable.  If you can find one thing (eating out, buying shoes, etc.), do it and don't feel guilty about spending money on that if other things that don't bring you happiness are easily done on the cheap.

I like this one, and I'd add that the same goes for your time. No matter how busy you are, no matter how much house work or kids stuff there is to do, take some time each week to do something you enjoy for yourself, and don't feel guilty about investing that time in yourself.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Rob on July 10, 2018, 03:50:30 PM

My first tip: Find one thing that makes you happy and don't feel guilty about spending money on it.  I know too many people that try to go cheap on everything but are completely miserable.  If you can find one thing (eating out, buying shoes, etc.), do it and don't feel guilty about spending money on that if other things that don't bring you happiness are easily done on the cheap.

I like this one, and I'd add that the same goes for your time. No matter how busy you are, no matter how much house work or kids stuff there is to do, take some time each week to do something you enjoy for yourself, and don't feel guilty about investing that time in yourself.

I for one made sure I had a little me-time after seeing Govtcheez's picture in Safe Contact...
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on July 10, 2018, 04:58:08 PM
It was bad enough that we had to see that... now I have THAT mental image.  JESUS H CHRIST
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Jake on July 10, 2018, 05:05:07 PM

My first tip: Find one thing that makes you happy and don't feel guilty about spending money on it.  I know too many people that try to go cheap on everything but are completely miserable.  If you can find one thing (eating out, buying shoes, etc.), do it and don't feel guilty about spending money on that if other things that don't bring you happiness are easily done on the cheap.

I like this one, and I'd add that the same goes for your time. No matter how busy you are, no matter how much house work or kids stuff there is to do, take some time each week to do something you enjoy for yourself, and don't feel guilty about investing that time in yourself.

I for one made sure I had a little me-time after seeing Govtcheez's picture in Safe Contact...

 :rofl: :rofl: :lol: :lol:

 :SUCK:
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on July 11, 2018, 06:11:58 AM
Take care of your vehicles.  Use wisdom as to which type and brand you purchase and why.  They are typically major investments and should be treated as such. 

Think of how much of your income goes into purchasing, INSURING, maintaining, storing, fueling, and repairing them. Let alone the risk you put you and yours at when using them at speed and you start to understand. 
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Rob on July 11, 2018, 07:57:51 AM
If you're unhappy where you are, burn all your bridges so you can never return.

Damnit, this site needs a "Like" button.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Perspective on July 11, 2018, 08:17:28 AM

My first tip: Find one thing that makes you happy and don't feel guilty about spending money on it.  I know too many people that try to go cheap on everything but are completely miserable.  If you can find one thing (eating out, buying shoes, etc.), do it and don't feel guilty about spending money on that if other things that don't bring you happiness are easily done on the cheap.

I like this one, and I'd add that the same goes for your time. No matter how busy you are, no matter how much house work or kids stuff there is to do, take some time each week to do something you enjoy for yourself, and don't feel guilty about investing that time in yourself.

I for one made sure I had a little me-time after seeing Govtcheez's picture in Safe Contact...
:rofl2:  :disbelief:
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ahluka on August 13, 2018, 09:23:22 AM
I've been thinking about asking this on the forums for a while and maybe we did it a while ago but I figure it can't hurt to do again.  And 'tips' could be wide ranging.  My goal is to gather sage advice from you all because I think every one of you has good ideas and I trust you all so I want to lean into that and gain something from it and give back at the same time. 


I will start.  The point is to give one piece of advice per reply.  Something that you've learned over time, or something you do to maintain your house that you never would have thought of previously.


My first tip: Find one thing that makes you happy and don't feel guilty about spending money on it.  I know too many people that try to go cheap on everything but are completely miserable.  If you can find one thing (eating out, buying shoes, etc.), do it and don't feel guilty about spending money on that if other things that don't bring you happiness are easily done on the cheap.

I like this thread and I like this tip and I like you. In fact, I'm about to use this tip to justify buying more than my monthly allowance (self-imposed) of cigars, and when the missus shouts at me later this week I'll be blaming it on "this bloke on a forum I used to frequent"...

My tip: probably not news to any of you old gits, but jesus christ kids do not learn by being told--even calmly or conversationally. I'm only recently learning this, after years of stress thanks to my ignorance. They seem to learn by watching and copying, like monkeys, which is a shame because I'm a twat.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on August 13, 2018, 09:57:52 AM
Holy shit, where did you come from?  Haven't heard from you in ages!  How are you?

And sure, go ahead and blame me.  What's she gonna do to me?  ;)

I agree with your assessment of kids.  Which is why you have to try so hard to be a responsible adult around then because they're much more likely to copy your bad habits than your good ones!
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ahluka on August 14, 2018, 03:55:59 AM
Holy shit, where did you come from?  Haven't heard from you in ages!  How are you?

And sure, go ahead and blame me.  What's she gonna do to me?  ;)

I agree with your assessment of kids.  Which is why you have to try so hard to be a responsible adult around then because they're much more likely to copy your bad habits than your good ones!

Living the dream, of course! How about you?

I'm a walking bad habit. I fear for their futures.

Have I missed anything?
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: micah on August 14, 2018, 08:54:17 AM
Have I missed anything?

Still no flying cars.
Robin Williams committed suicide.
Donald Trump is the US President.
They keep making Jurassic Park movies.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Rob on August 14, 2018, 08:58:30 AM
Have I missed anything?

Still no flying cars.
Robin Williams committed suicide.
Donald Trump is the US President.
They keep making Jurassic Park movies.

:applause:
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on August 14, 2018, 09:47:06 AM
Holy shit, where did you come from?  Haven't heard from you in ages!  How are you?

And sure, go ahead and blame me.  What's she gonna do to me?  ;)

I agree with your assessment of kids.  Which is why you have to try so hard to be a responsible adult around then because they're much more likely to copy your bad habits than your good ones!

Living the dream, of course! How about you?

I'm a walking bad habit. I fear for their futures.

Have I missed anything?
Living 'a' dream... not sure about 'the' dream.  My dream has scary shit in it sometimes.  lol

Micah's list is pretty conclusive as for what you missed.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ahluka on August 14, 2018, 11:42:43 AM
Still no flying cars.
Robin Williams committed suicide.
Donald Trump is the US President.
They keep making Jurassic Park movies.

I can't decide which one of those pisses me off the most.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Rob on August 14, 2018, 03:24:02 PM
Still no flying cars.
Robin Williams committed suicide.
Donald Trump is the US President.
They keep making Jurassic Park movies.

I can't decide which one of those pisses me off the most.

Donald Trump is the US President.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Mike on August 14, 2018, 04:48:38 PM
Still no flying cars.
Robin Williams committed suicide.
Donald Trump is the US President.
They keep making Jurassic Park movies.

I can't decide which one of those pisses me off the most.

Donald Trump is the US President.
:+1:
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: charlie on August 14, 2018, 05:28:29 PM
No way. Never gonna happen.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: JaWiB on August 15, 2018, 01:16:19 AM
Still no flying cars.
Robin Williams committed suicide.
Donald Trump is the US President.
They keep making Jurassic Park movies.

I can't decide which one of those pisses me off the most.

Donald Trump is the US President.
I reject your reality, and substitute my own
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Jake on September 17, 2018, 08:05:40 PM
One of my tips: purchase quality things.

When I was younger, I purchased whatever I could get the best deal on and what looked half way decent. For a while I would not spend more than say $50 on a pair of shoes. They got so cheap at Costco and other stores that I figured I can just get a new pair every few months. That changed a few years ago. I now have fewer shoes, but they are all of high quality (hand made in the USA). Except for my crocs, I have no idea where does are made :p

but back to the point: high quality stuff. When I was a kid my dad would always say that folks like us can't afford cheap things. Now, it is easier then ever to fall into this trap of buying cheaply made things, having them last a few months, and then just buy again and again. What's another $15, right? The walmarts of the world have made this easy and convenient - part of the reason we live in a throw away society.

Well made stuff can last for years - maybe even outlive you! Back to the shoes example: two years ago I purchased Danner Hunting shoes. Made in USA - they were quite a bit of money - but hey, my foot is always dry, super warm, and I know they will last and it is most likely the last pair I will ever buy.

Well made stuff breaks too, sometimes, but often the vendor stands by their product. I got some hand made oxfords from Walk About shoes - hand made in the USA - a few months after the leather in one spot separated at the seem - I contacted the vendor and they gave me an option of sending the shoes in for repair, or a full refund and I get to keep the shoes.

My wife got me a pair of high end binoculars a few years ago made by Vortex. Last hunting season I lost the lens caps, called Vortex and guess what, they sent me replacement covers free of charge. Their lifetime warranty covers such things. It even covers accidental damage, without having to purchased anything extra.

One last example - this fishing trip I broke a very expensive rod made by 13fishing - it wasn't exactly a manufacturer defect that broke it, but more my inexperience. I contacted them and without any questions they replaced it for the cost of shipping.

There are several reasons to buy quality things - they last longer, they are well made, and these manufacturer's typically stand behind their product. You should still learn to maintain whatever you buy - whether these are shoes, rods, or guns. Good maintenance on anything will prolong its lifetime - but I guess that's another tip.

Instead of buying things at a whim, I now take my time to research and if need be, I rather save up for a few months to buy something good.

I have a ton of crap in the garage that I purchased a long time ago because it was cheap that I hate using because it either never worked the way I wanted or broke pretty quickly. Cheap things get expensive over time. Save up, and buy good stuff. And there is nothing wrong with still looking for deals - I do that all the time. If I have something picked out that I don't need right away I wait until there is a deal. This same mentality often makes me buy gifts waaaaay in advance.

This post turned into something much longer than I anticipated - I hope it made sense.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Jake on September 18, 2018, 08:59:52 AM
the above is especially important when purchasing any kind of tools.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on September 18, 2018, 09:56:21 AM
I could not agree more Jake.  My dad had a similar philosophy.  Buy stuff at a higher quality and you spend less over time.  Always think of the end game.

Also, to one of your other points about warranty - don't forget that most credit cards offer extended warranties on many things.  Often 1-2 years beyond the standard warranty.  It's a little known fact that they offer but don't advertise.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on September 20, 2018, 06:06:06 AM
I have pushed the same agenda for years.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on September 20, 2018, 09:36:00 AM
I tend to agree about sunglasses.  I drop mine all the time and scratch them constantly.  I am glad I don't have to wear glasses (yet) because they'd likely be a mess.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Jake on September 20, 2018, 10:12:05 PM
I guess I agree on sunglasses as well. I had an expensive pair of oakleys at one point and they lasted me about the same time a $20 pair does. And it is mainly because of the way I treat them.
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Govtcheez on September 21, 2018, 07:35:57 PM
It was bad enough that we had to see that... now I have THAT mental image.  JESUS H CHRIST
Words hurt
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Govtcheez on September 21, 2018, 07:39:13 PM
Be able to admit when you're wrong.  People fuck up all the time, even if they are really smart or know what they're doing.  Sticking to your supposed infallibility will never make anything better.  Best case: you alienate people and look like an asshole.  Worst case: whatever you fucked up snowballs into a much bigger problem
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: Mike on September 22, 2018, 10:45:42 AM
I disagree with the sunglasses.  I've shelled out for nice polarized glasses the last few times and had each pair for years.  Because of the cost I've been a lot more aware of not losing them.  And polarized is just worth it (though the cost of them have been going down).
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: KnuckleBuckett on September 23, 2018, 05:12:50 AM
I disagree with the sunglasses.  I've shelled out for nice polarized glasses the last few times and had each pair for years.  Because of the cost I've been a lot more aware of not losing them.  And polarized is just worth it (though the cost of them have been going down).
+1
Title: Re: ESink Tips Megathread
Post by: ober on September 23, 2018, 08:51:45 PM
It was bad enough that we had to see that... now I have THAT mental image.  JESUS H CHRIST
Words hurt
I'm not sure if that's sarcastic or if you were truly offended.  If the latter, I apologize.  My post was meant to be sarcastic.  You look great man :)  I'm jealous.