Cost of Living #6

Status
Not open for further replies.
hoponlilmama said:
Yes, good thinking!
First thing to do is to check the manual (if you have a hold of it, Stake fodder).

If the manual or a tutorial still seems too difficult or you're not confident, maybe ask a friend or seek out another mechanic?

I've only ever had to replace the rear bulbs once or twice in my years of car ownership.
Click to expand...
The manual does give instructions. I have replaced several rear bulbs with no problem, but the front one requires removing the radiator grille, then the headlight, both of which have bolts that have never been unscrewed, so might be tight. I'm sure I can do it, whenever I get around to it, but it will be a hassle! Fortunately, the turn signal has two bulbs, and one still works, so I've been getting by on that.
 
Stake fodder said:
The manual does give instructions. I have replaced several rear bulbs with no problem, but the front one requires removing the radiator grille, then the headlight, both of which have bolts that have never been unscrewed, so might be tight. I'm sure I can do it, whenever I get around to it, but it will be a hassle! Fortunately, the turn signal has two bulbs, and one still works, so I've been getting by on that.
Click to expand...
Channelling Rob Schneider here...you can do it! 😆
Good luck, whenever you get around to trying!
 
Ethan Reigns
Ethan Reigns
What car is this?
I think we're getting more electricity credit 😀 shame that my next bill is the gas one! Haha.

Everything is going ok for the moment... Does a worry when everything is going ok, cos it never lasts!

The heater is a million times easier than the fire! I enjoyed making a fire, but didnt realise how much it took out of me until I didnt have to do it any more. Its not been super cold yet, around 5-10C most nights. Now I just have to remember not to freak out when I get the electric bill and remember that it's cheaper than firewood..
 
Moptop said:
You actually get an electricity CREDIT? A credit from who and for what? How does that work? All we ever get from our electric company is an outrageous bill.
Click to expand...
We only have one electricity company in my state. The government is giving everyone a $400 credit (200 in winter and 200 in summer) to soften the blow as the price per unit goes up. My bill is usually under $200 so I can roll it over for a couple bills.

People with kids are getting a few hundred if they activate the covid tracking ap again. Im not sure how many people will do that. I could never figure out the app and there are a whole lot more stupider than me people who have kids.
 
Im going in to apply for public housing this week. Some people say they've been on the list for 19 years. I defo need an easier place by the time I am in my 50's. So I figured if I get on the list now they might have something for me by then.

Looks to be a pretty good deal, set at 25% income regardless of income once you are in. Thats excellent, cheaper than here. I would have to go back to the city because I cant afford to replace my car so I need to be walking distance from some kind of transportation and shop. I have applied before but must have dropped off the list cos I havent heard from them in over 10 years and Ive moved 3 or 4 times.

Trying to make my list of everything else I need down in town while I am there. Will be nice to have a day out.
 
I have a friend coming to look at my room this weekend with interest to possibly rent it. Do I want a roommate? No. But it’s the easiest way for me to make extra income now and help with my household expenses.
 
Joan the Vampire Slayer said:
I have a friend coming to look at my room this weekend with interest to possibly rent it. Do I want a roommate? No. But it’s the easiest way for me to make extra income now and help with my household expenses.
Click to expand...
I wonder if doing Airnbnb for the room would generate more money?

Though the idea of a constant stream of strangers appeals even less than that of having a roommate.
 
Joan the Vampire Slayer
Joan the Vampire Slayer
My thoughts exactly.
If you're in the UK now is a great time to bank survey points. All the questions are the same, but loads of surveys available.
 
Everything in is going well for me at the moment. I dont want to jinx it! But starting to be able to build some savings again, which helps anxiety SO much to know I have that back up in case of emergency. Living week to week is insanely difficult.

Was thinking about buying a steam cleaner to help with the mould issues. Saw a cheap one on the Kmart site but want to see it in person before I buy. Might catch a movie and go out for lunch while Im down there too. Its really nice to have this sort wiggle room.
 
November said:
Everything in is going well for me at the moment. I dont want to jinx it! But starting to be able to build some savings again, which helps anxiety SO much to know I have that back up in case of emergency. Living week to week is insanely difficult.

Was thinking about buying a steam cleaner to help with the mould issues. Saw a cheap one on the Kmart site but want to see it in person before I buy. Might catch a movie and go out for lunch while Im down there too. Its really nice to have this sort wiggle room.
Click to expand...
Just check the reviews, to make sure other users are happy with it (and the product works!).
 
November
November
Good tip :)
hoponlilmama said:
Just check the reviews, to make sure other users are happy with it (and the product works!).
Click to expand...
And on Amazon, really check the reviews. There is a nasty practice of putting a product up, getting good reviews and then changing the product to something else.
 
November
November
Sneaky!
Inflation may be coming down but the price of fuel is still creeping up as inflation coming down still means prices are going up. And they are already up a lot. Unless prices do come down, as has, I think, been promised with electricity and gas, a reduction in inflation just means things are becoming far too expensive more slowly.
 
hoponlilmama said:
Just check the reviews, to make sure other users are happy with it (and the product works!).
Click to expand...
My tip for checking reviews: If the overall reviewing score is within your "this looks like a good product range," then ignore the 4 & 5 star reviews, and instead focus on the 1 & 2 star reviews. From there you can determine if the issues folks ran into are something you care about/can live with or not. This might not work for everyone, but it typically works for me 🙂 I don't really need the 4 & 5 star reviews once I've decided I want to purchase a product, I want to know the downsides of the product to make an informed choice of "do I care? do I think that might be a user error and I could be smarter than that other customer? do I feel I can afford to replace this product every X timeframe?" etc.
 
Nackereia said:
My tip for checking reviews: If the overall reviewing score is within your "this looks like a good product range," then ignore the 4 & 5 star reviews, and instead focus on the 1 & 2 star reviews. From there you can determine if the issues folks ran into are something you care about/can live with or not. This might not work for everyone, but it typically works for me 🙂 I don't really need the 4 & 5 star reviews once I've decided I want to purchase a product, I want to know the downsides of the product to make an informed choice of "do I care? do I think that might be a user error and I could be smarter than that other customer? do I feel I can afford to replace this product every X timeframe?" etc.
Click to expand...
A good tip!
It is beneficial to look at the lowest ratings and reviews.

Even with your four & five star reviews, I like people being thorough and also discussing any issues/disadvantages with said product.
 
Always important to remember that the vast majority of people who review tend to do so when they love something or they hate it. There's (relatively speaking) very little i-nbetween.

Also, make sure the negative reviews are actually relevant. I've seen one star reviews on products because the post office delivered it to the wrong address. Not that the company shipped to the wrong address, but that the post office delivered to a different address than the one on the package.

Same for positive reviews. Make sure what they are describing matches what you think is an actual positive review.

Case in point: I once saw someone give 3 stars (out of 5) to a movie they described as so boring that they fell asleep during it. Clearly this is a person whose movie tastes can't be trusted.
 
A while ago, the Liberal government called various supermarket CEO's to report to parliament for an inquiry into rising prices and one of the star inquisitees was the CEO of Loblaws, one of the most expensive grocery stores anywhere. I pass by one of their stores every week and the parking lot is full. It seems like they always find customers for their overpriced items. The problem is that no one is sending an unambiguous signal to the economy that prices are too high. If their parking lot was empty one day, maybe they would make changes. But when you can sell everything in the store for 20% more than the cheaper stores like No Frills, Food Basics and Freshco, what would impel them to change? I often shop at more than three stores every week, going where the prices and quality are best.

The result of Trudeau's government inquiry? Nothing changed. Pure grandstanding on his part.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom