Saving money
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
Move items you are considering buying to the 'Save for Later' list in your cart, as prices often drop within a week.
One user claims this happens 99% of the time.
one person who lived it
Export important documents to PDF before sharing them to ensure compatibility and preserve formatting.
PDFs look right anywhere and prevent formatting issues that can occur with other file types like .docx.
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Avoid entering sensitive information or logging into sites with sensitive data on open public Wi-Fi networks unless they are secured with HTTPS.
Open networks can be traps where traffic is read in clear-text by a middleman.
- Check for SSL certificate warnings, which indicate fraudulent connections.
one person who lived it
Use Excel if your project manager or colleagues are highly skilled in it.
They may be unlikely to change their preferred tool.
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Request a one-month Prime membership extension if a package misses its guaranteed delivery date, but verify whether automatic renewal still occurs.
Amazon states they will extend membership for late deliveries, though some users report being charged at the old renewal time despite this promise.
- Some users report being charged at the standard renewal time even after receiving an extension offer.
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Use LaTeX when you need precise control over document layout.
It reduces stress by ensuring elements move exactly as specified.
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Bring physical books or e-books to read during trips.
It provides hours of entertainment with minimal effort.
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Be skeptical of tips that feel like advertising for specific paid programs.
Such content can feel out of place and uncomfortable.
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Back up university-provided software before graduating to retain access after your student email deactivates.
Access to certain student benefits, such as Microsoft Office, is revoked or deactivated when enrollment ends.
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If you are unsure about a purchase, add the item to your cart and wait a week or two; if you no longer feel you need it, delete it.
one person who lived it
Use a VPN for sensitive activities when connecting to free Wi-Fi, assuming providers may be collecting data.
Some guest Wi-Fi systems include intelligence gathering features that provide insights about customers.
one person who lived it
Use Excel for data analysis tasks like regression if you want a more user-friendly tool than R.
R is its own programming language, whereas Excel is more accessible if available.
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Do not blame LibreOffice for formatting errors caused by Microsoft Office's non-compliance with its own file standards.
Microsoft Office is not compliant with its own file format standard.
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Focus on Microsoft Office proficiency as it remains the gold standard for word processing and spreadsheets.
Many companies standardize on it and expect fluency or conformity.
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- Learn Microsoft Office if your workplace requires it.1
Verify stock status carefully, as 'Fulfilled by Amazon' items may still be en route to a warehouse rather than ready to ship.
Items listed as 'In stock on [Date] - Fulfilled by Amazon' indicate the item is not yet in the warehouse.
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Avoid relying solely on free office suites if you must integrate with professional or academic systems that mandate Microsoft Office.
Corporations and schools often depend exclusively on Office, causing compatibility issues with other formats.
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Use LibreOffice if you have unreliable internet access.
It is resilient in situations without an internet connection.
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Be aware that repeatedly exploiting free Wi-Fi hacks may result in your device's MAC address being blacklisted.
Providers may catch on to repeated exploitation attempts.
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Encrypt files with Veracrypt before uploading them to cloud storage services.
This ensures privacy and security.
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Consider canceling your Prime subscription if delivery guarantees are consistently missed or product costs become outrageous.
The service loses value without reliable timing and fair pricing.
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Shift your spending to local businesses or competitors like Costco, Target, or eBay if you find Amazon's practices unethical.
Supporting other retailers is viewed as preferable to supporting Amazon.
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Do not lie about delivery status when disputing late packages; stick to the facts to protect consumer rights and hold the company accountable.
It is about protecting the consumer and keeping the company accountable, not cheating.
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Understand that stealing software differs from stealing physical goods because it does not deprive others of access.
Unlike groceries, which are consumed by the thief and unavailable to others, software can be used by multiple people simultaneously.
one person who lived it
Have your order ID ready before starting a chat with customer service to resolve issues quickly.
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Use LaTeX for precise image placement in documents.
Moving an image one pixel left results in it moving exactly one pixel left, rather than shifting unpredictably elsewhere in the document.
one person who lived it
Try using DNS tunneling as a workaround to bypass restricted Wi-Fi networks.
one person who lived it
Test different delivery addresses, such as home versus office, to find which location offers faster or guaranteed delivery dates based on proximity to hubs.
Delivery times vary by location; for example, an office address in a city may honor countdown timers while a home address does not.
one person who lived it
Be cautious when switching between OpenOffice/LibreOffice and Microsoft Office, as template documents and formatting can become corrupted or appear differently.
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