More on everyday life
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not try to pet random wild animals like moose or bison.
They are not gentle creatures.
one person who lived it
Limit spending on solo home drinking if it feels excessive.
Spending $200 alone may be too much.
- Personal opinion.
one person who lived it
If you lose your passport abroad, go to the passport office early in the morning (e.g., 5 AM) to avoid long lines.
Arriving later may result in significant delays due to crowds.
one person who lived it
Host holiday gatherings at state parks with picnic areas to reduce hosting burden and cost.
It allows guests to bring dishes while the host handles grilling, and parking fees are low.
one person who lived it
Provide a trusted friend or relative with copies of key travel papers.
It ensures access to the information if you lose your phone.
3 people, independently
comfort, dog, see, normal39
Expect to feel uncomfortable or unclean when using public restrooms without a bidet after becoming accustomed to one.
Avoid early weekday showings if you want to avoid young children.
Young children are not yet in school during these times and need entertainment.
one person who lived it
Spend time reading, going to the gym, playing sports, or chilling while watching a show sober.
Being sober is better.
one person who lived it
Get or foster a pet, such as a dog, or visit a local dog park to find tangible comfort.
Tangible interaction may provide a pick-me-up.
one person who lived it
Use and enjoy special items like nice candles or good wine now, rather than saving them for 'special occasions'.
The fact that you are alive is special enough.
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To challenge your certainty about the future, keep a book of predictions for things you think will happen and review them later to see how often you are wrong.
It helps prove yourself wrong.
one person who lived it
Be aware that some Goodwill locations may have limited changing rooms.
One person stopped by a couple of locations quickly and did not see a changing room.
- Based on one person's brief visits to a couple of locations.
one person who lived it
Accept that simply not participating in Halloween does not make you an asshole.
Normal people do not care that much about someone else's plans.
2 people, independently
Decide that a personal goal for your household is to not make garbage.
one person who lived it
Put a coin in a jar every time you resist the urge to smoke.
It is about forging your will.
one person who lived it
Try immersing yourself in physically demanding work where getting dirty or injured is normal, which can help you realize you are more than just your looks.
Doing hard labor changed one person's view of appearances, making them stop caring about looking clean or perfect.
- One approach that helped: spending a summer on a farm doing unfamiliar work.
one person who lived it
Embrace your own reasons for doing a hobby over others' judgments.
Staying true to your interests is admirable.
one person who lived it
Pick up new hobbies such as gaming, bike rides, learning an instrument, or getting cats.
These activities have helped one person.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Travel to foreign countries or move across the world to experience life outside your comfort zone.
You will see other cultures, meet amazing people, and experience life outside your comfort zone.
2 people, independently
Try a new approach if your current mindset and operations have not yielded results.
There is only upside to trying something new when the current method fails.
one person who lived it
If you want to feel more interesting and have others feel more comfortable around you, one approach that helped was getting in good physical shape.
It can make your jokes seem funnier and increase social comfort.
one person who lived it
Keep wheat bread on hand and eat it before getting hungry to prevent eating out.
Extreme hunger leads to buying expensive food.
one person who lived it
Always ask the owner for permission before petting a dog you see.
Some dogs may be reactive, stressed, or in training, and unauthorized petting can set back their progress.
one person who lived it
Do not make life decisions based solely on Reddit threads.
People often offer advice that sounds good or seeks upvotes rather than what actually works.
one person who lived it
Take up challenging activities that push you out of your comfort zone, such as rock climbing, to make hobbies feel more alive through real stakes and growth.
- One person's experience
one person who lived it
Flip face-down pennies over to make them heads-up for someone else rather than taking them.
It is an altruistic act that brings happiness to another person.
one person who lived it
Expect to feel uncomfortable or unclean when using public restrooms without a bidet after becoming accustomed to one.
Using only toilet paper may no longer feel enough, making other bathrooms feel barbaric or dirty by comparison.
7 people, independently
Notice if someone assumes others have the same resources they do and judges them for slacking if they don't achieve similar results.
This signals a background where they were always catered to.
one person who lived it
Try geocaching as a couples or family activity.
It often leads you to places you didn't know existed.
one person who lived it
One approach that helped: browse a supermarket late at night with a partner to talk about life and plans in a quiet, peaceful setting.
It was therapeutic.
one person who lived it
Declutter and downsize your possessions early.
Dealing with 'stuff' is burdensome for next-of-kin settling estates.
one person who lived it
Stock up on nonperishables calmly rather than panicking.
Supply chains remain intact with shipments arriving; empty shelves are due to panic buying faster than replenishment.
- Excessive buying leads to waste as items eventually expire and are thrown out.
one person who lived it
Do not worry about being judged for dressing up alone, as observers likely assume you have company.
They do not know you are alone.
one person who lived it
View activities that make you happy as valid rather than stupid, because happiness is the ultimate goal.
Happiness is the ultimate goal.
one person who lived it
Keep electronics longer unless you need gaming performance or significant power savings.
It normalizes reducing waste; however, newer TVs may draw less power.
- Newer TVs draw far less power.
one person who lived it
Build flexibility into your meal plan to accommodate strong cravings or aversions.
Allows you to move uncompleted menu items to another day rather than abandoning the plan.
one person who lived it
Get a support animal, such as a dog, for affectionate physical contact like hugs.
one person who lived it
- Adopt a dog from a shelter and walk it regularly to encourage exercise and companionship.1
Budget time just as carefully as you budget money, especially as children grow older.
It becomes increasingly important as toddlers transition to school age.
one person who lived it
Build a happy, interesting life for yourself to distract from jealousy and reduce the likelihood of encountering triggering situations.
Doing something interesting for fun may prevent you from running into these issues at all.
one person who lived it
Stop celebrating holidays by not buying holiday presents or food, treating them like normal days.
one person who lived it
Apply animal training principles—clear boundaries, consistency, and emotional stability—to dealing with humans.
We all crave the same basic things.
one person who lived it
Define fun for yourself rather than subscribing to societal definitions involving drinking, partying, or socializing.
Fun can be solitary activities, like reading alone.
one person who lived it
Visit the same coffee shop daily to become a regular; baristas appreciate regulars, especially those who tip.
It is completely normal to be a regular, and baristas love their regulars.
one person who lived it
Remember that moderation applies to everything, including moderation itself.
one person who lived it
cost, bring, items13
Rent banquet halls or restaurants for large gatherings instead of building large 'great rooms' that are rarely used.
Building a room costs $50,000 plus $100/month to maintain, whereas renting a venue for a party may cost less than the annual heating/cooling of the room.
one person who lived it
Sketch as an art hobby.
It is the cheapest option; painting supplies can get pricey.
one person who lived it
Take up frugal creative activities like sewing or watercolor painting using inexpensive supplies and found materials.
Art and DIY projects are frugal and can be fun with minimal cost.
one person who lived it
Do not feel guilty about skipping Halloween candy if you cannot afford it.
Candy and other goods are expensive.
one person who lived it
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If you struggle with cleaning motivation, hide small amounts of cash in random spots around your home to find while decluttering.
Finding the money makes the chore feel rewarding and financially helpful.
one person who lived it
Set a budget of $25 to $40 for White Elephant gift exchanges.
It ensures participants are happy to play and receive something in return.
one person who lived it
Host a 'poor man's white elephant' gift exchange where participants bring items they already own or found for free.
This allows everyone to declutter their homes of unwanted items while participating in a fun game with no financial cost.
- You might leave with something you don't love, which can be donated or re-gifted later.
one person who lived it
Spend money on activities that create good memories or on good food, rather than buying material possessions.
Buying material possessions does not bring happiness.
one person who lived it
Distribute unpopped microwave popcorn bags as a low-cost treat that generates high excitement.
It is cheaper than candy and can elicit strong positive reactions from large groups.
one person who lived it
Watch Red Letter Media Christmas specials for entertainment.
One person described it as great.
one person who lived it
Construct a custom box from available materials for oddly shaped items.
Standard boxes are difficult to use for irregular shapes.
one person who lived it
If normal Christmas stresses you out, create a low-pressure routine involving simple meals and dropping off presents instead of hosting.
one person who lived it
Exchange nonperishable food donations for free items like pumpkins from local organizations.
one person who lived it
Avoid doing nothing and complaining about an issue, as this leads to misery.
It is the easiest path but results in staying miserable.
one person who lived it
Live in a city center in a smaller apartment to reduce commute time and gain access to amenities, prioritizing time over space.
It provides extra time in life and convenience for walking to needs.
- This reflects one person's preference.
one person who lived it
If drinking makes you feel terrible, skip it and choose activities like dancing instead.
Drinking is overrated and can make you feel like garbage.
one person who lived it
Help friends with small tasks like moving furniture or caretaking, as favors return when you need them.
College life involves restricted income and time, making these small jobs big issues if you lack support.
one person who lived it
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If you struggle with excessive phone use, try carrying a book with you at all times as an alternative.
one person who lived it
If you can't leave a problem, deal with it by analyzing it, knowing it, brainstorming ideas, and then trying or leaving based on the outcome.
Accepting the problem doesn't solve it; analyzing and brainstorming leads to actionable steps.
one person who lived it
Recognize that suburban environments may isolate teenagers by keeping them safe but leaving them without a support network when they move to cities.
Parents may unwittingly force kids to climb out of isolation into random cities alone.
one person who lived it
Address problems with actionable steps instead of just complaining.
Without action, complaining is merely whining.
one person who lived it
Observe neighborhood details during walks to discover hidden beauty, gardens, paths, and local wildlife.
Regular walking reveals features in familiar areas that are otherwise unnoticed.
one person who lived it
phone, buy, listen, shoes37
Try walking outdoors while listening to audio content to mix physical activity with entertainment.
Replace your helmet if you drop it or have an accident.
Consider it used after such events.
one person who lived it
Write the number of your coat check or valet ticket on your arm with a marker if your phone battery is likely to die.
Phone batteries often die late at night when out all day.
one person who lived it
Record one second of video per day.
It creates a summary video of your year.
one person who lived it
Listen to Nirvana or Alice In Chains in the morning if you find those genres upbeat.
They are upbeat for the listener.
- Only if you consider these genres upbeat.
one person who lived it
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Split larger pieces of wet wood into kindling with a hatchet to expose drier inner layers.
This exposes the drier inner layers.
one person who lived it
If you are sensitive to smells or dislike cleaning, buy pleasant-smelling cleaners to make the task less miserable.
Pleasant scents can make cleaning less miserable for those sensitive to smells.
- One person's approach
one person who lived it
Spend time in pleasant outdoor locations like parks with books and snacks.
It can be cool.
one person who lived it
Listen to Drum and Bass music while eating breakfast.
To enter the day with a bang.
one person who lived it
Bring a book or listen to podcasts on public transit.
To make the commute more enjoyable and pass the time.
one person who lived it
Keep keys in a separate pocket from your phone or wallet.
Keys can scratch phones and leather goods.
one person who lived it
Use 'Baba Yetu' from Christopher Tin's 'Calling All Dawns' album as a wake-up call.
Waking up to it is pleasant.
one person who lived it
Bring a change of shoes to avoid trekking in work boots during long commutes.
It makes a world of difference.
one person who lived it
Allow pumpkins to rot if you want a creepier aesthetic.
They look better and creepier once the process starts.
one person who lived it
Go kayaking for exercise and relaxation.
It provides a workout and a relaxing way to spend time on the water.
- Instructions advise against paddling alone.
one person who lived it
Ignore drivers honking from behind and focus on safety over rushing turns.
It is better to be safe and cautious than to rush into an accident.
one person who lived it
Carry a rubber band on your wrist or in your wallet for handy access.
It is useful for various instances, such as fixing a dry pen.
one person who lived it
Learn practical trade skills even unprofessionally to save money on repairs and improve self-sufficiency.
Doing repairs yourself can save thousands of dollars.
one person who lived it
Use nice bar soaps for a luxurious experience when washing hands.
It provides a simple pleasure.
one person who lived it
Keep chopsticks at your desk to eat coated snacks so grease and crumbs do not get on your fingers or peripherals.
It prevents residue from transferring to your controller, mouse, or keyboard.
one person who lived it
Keep WiFi turned off on e-ink readers unless actively downloading content to extend battery life.
Turning off WiFi allows the battery to last for weeks or a month.
one person who lived it
If you use a vibrating alarm, let it wake you first, then play 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole softly to ease into consciousness.
It creates a nice transition.
one person who lived it
Buy solid USB cables and adapters instead of the cheapest ones.
Doing so does wonders.
one person who lived it
Wear an analog wristwatch instead of using a smartwatch or phone to check the time.
It prevents constant notifications and stops checking the time from spiraling into scrolling.
one person who lived it
Wear waterproof shoes in addition to snowshoes.
Snowshoes prevent falling deep into the snow but do not prevent shoes from getting wet.
one person who lived it
Buy quality items that last, shopping secondhand if needed, because cheap things often do not last.
mega cheapo things don't often last
one person who lived it
Rinse desert sand off your glasses instead of wiping it to prevent scratches.
Wiping sand away leaves scratches.
one person who lived it
Wear high-visibility gear, including reflective tape on your helmet and reflective gloves, to ensure drivers see you.
Reflective gloves allow you to signal turns, and high visibility ensures drivers can see you.
one person who lived it
Listen to music or podcasts with headphones while doing yard work.
It makes the task more motivational and enjoyable.
one person who lived it
Take pictures of your car insurance and registration documents as a backup in case the vehicle is stolen.
in case it gets stolen
one person who lived it
Memorize your driver's license number.
It can help you avoid tickets when you need to provide identification.
one person who lived it
Invest in a decent bicycle; one person reported it changed everything for them.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Use dried banana peels as bookmarks instead of paper or photos.
It prevents waste by repurposing leftovers.
one person who lived it
Try walking outdoors while listening to audio content to mix physical activity with entertainment.
You can gain new impressions by listening to interesting material.
- Be aware of your surroundings; do not always have headphones on.
3 people, independently
Set reference images as your phone wallpaper to show them instantly without unlocking or navigating apps.
Saving roughly 10 seconds keeps conversations more fluid.
one person who lived it
Use an e-reader to lower the barrier to reading while on the go.
one person who lived it
Glue soles and heels onto shoes to extend their life, using contact cement and Shoe Goo for the outer rim bead.
one person who lived it
Do one bigger weekly grocery trip to simplify shopping and ensure you use what you buy.
one person who lived it
sheets, sleep, clothes, items23
Invest in a high-quality bed and sleep accessories, such as a supportive mattress, decent pillows, sheets, and mattress foam.
Make your own beeswax wraps using a thrifted bedsheet and beeswax.
It may be cheaper than buying pre-made wraps.
one person who lived it
Throw two plastic dryer balls into a normal laundry load.
It works great.
one person who lived it
Invest in a high-quality bed and sleep accessories, such as a supportive mattress, decent pillows, sheets, and mattress foam.
Better sleep leads to a better attitude the next day.
2 people, independently
Do not cheap out on shoes, seating, or beds.
These items separate you from the floor.
one person who lived it
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Set up your tent before getting drunk at a beach bonfire.
To avoid sleeping in the sun, which can severely burn your exposed side.
one person who lived it
Use 100% cotton sheets instead of microfiber.
Microfiber traps heat and sweat, creating a 'dutch oven' effect, whereas cotton is cooler.
one person who lived it
If you repair bikes indoors, place the packing paper from parts shipments under the bike to catch grease and road crud.
It keeps the floor clean and can be tossed after use.
one person who lived it
Use packing paper for cleaning windows.
It leaves no streaks or lint.
one person who lived it
Do not store scotch lying down.
It will ruin it.
one person who lived it
If you hang a towel or swimsuit to air dry at the office, cover it with a coat.
This allows them to dry and air out so they do not become musty or smelly.
one person who lived it
Sleep in period underwear to prevent leaks and stains on sheets if you prefer not to wear a cup at night.
It keeps everything clean and prevents waking up to blood on sheets.
one person who lived it
Own staple clothing items like classic tees and polos to simplify dressing.
You won't have to figure out what to match.
one person who lived it
Use silicone stretch lids or Tovolo seal and store containers.
They are described as game changers.
one person who lived it
Use an $11 fabric shaver to remove pills from clothing, sheets, and pillowcases to save money on replacements.
It saves money by de-pilling items.
2 people, independently
Wear shoe-style slippers instead of sock or fabric-only ones to stay warmer and less cranky.
One person reported being less cold and cranky with this change.
one person who lived it
Install blackout curtains in the bedroom to improve sleep quality.
They make falling asleep and returning to sleep much easier.
one person who lived it
Flatten cardboard boxes before storing them in the garage.
It saves tons of space.
one person who lived it
Enjoy the fresh smell and sensory experience of line-drying clothes outdoors.
Outdoor-dried sheets and clothes can smell amazing.
2 people, independently
Use a sunrise alarm clock, an auto-warming thermostat, and an auto-brewing coffee maker to make getting out of bed easier.
- May not work for everyone; effectiveness varies.
one person who lived it
Accept that line-dried clothes may not need ironing, but avoid leaving them out too long to prevent them from becoming crunchy.
Outside drying does not make clothes as crunchy as inside drying, depending on weather.
one person who lived it
Use drawer dividers and buy packs of identical socks to simplify laundry.
Eliminates the need to match pairs and reduces stress if a sock goes missing.
2 people, independently
Buy a duvet or comforter one size larger than your mattress for better coverage.
It provides more blanket coverage.
2 people, independently
Walk your dog in casual clothes before showering and changing into work clothes.
This prevents bringing spiderwebs to the office.
one person who lived it
salsa, food, grocery, taste15
Season salsa with oil in a pan to add to its flavor.
This method makes a huge difference in taste.
one person who lived it
If you eat meat, consume organs like heart and liver to feel a closer connection to the animal.
It helps see meat as an animal rather than just product.
one person who lived it
Do not bring outside food to cafes unless they explicitly encourage it.
Most cafes have no outside food policies, and small businesses operate on razor-thin margins.
- Unless the cafe encourages it.
one person who lived it
Check menus for fine print or minimum purchase requirements before assuming complimentary items like chips and salsa are free when not ordering a meal.
Some restaurants charge for these items if no meal is purchased.
one person who lived it
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Recognize that food enjoyment is heavily influenced by upbringing and exposure to good food.
Growing up around bad food may lead to a lack of interest in it.
one person who lived it
Make your own salsa using fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, vinegar, cilantro, lime, salt, and garlic to control flavor and get the most from deliciousness.
Homemade salsa allows you to tailor ingredients to your taste and is described as the most delicious option.
one person who lived it
Use tomatillos for green salsa to improve the flavor.
Using tomatillos is described as life-changing due to how great it tastes.
one person who lived it
Wrap dressings and gravies tightly in plastic wrap and nestle them in lettuce leaves inside lunch containers.
This keeps sauces off the food until right before eating.
one person who lived it
Use grocery delivery to stop impulse purchases.
It can save money by preventing impulse buys.
one person who lived it
Offer small packets of salty snacks like mini chips alongside candy to increase excitement.
Some children show more enthusiasm for salty options than full-sized candy bars.
one person who lived it
Buy refrigerated salsa from the grocery store instead of shelf-stable jarred salsa for better freshness and taste.
Refrigerated salsa is fresher and tastier by comparison.
one person who lived it
Carve dried avocado seeds.
Food shopping also becomes art supply shopping.
one person who lived it
Purchase fresh salsa from local Mexican grocery stores for authentic quality.
These stores often carry fresh, authentic varieties including pico de gallo, guacamole, and various green and red salsas.
one person who lived it
Wash fruit and vegetables bought from grocery stores.
Service dogs (and potentially others) may sniff food bins, introducing contaminants.
one person who lived it
Visit local Russian or Eastern European grocers to find Slavic versions similar to Altoid Sours.
Many of these stores carry extremely similar candies.
one person who lived it