Life tips, timesavers, and moneysavers

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ps99472

ps99472

New member
I thought this would be a good thread for people to post their life experiences/tips and help out other members of this forum.  I will go first,

1.  The Auto Club charges $7/signature for notary services if you're a member.
2.  Costco price their goods differently if there is a price drop, if it ends in $X.97 then that indicates a discounted item from its original price    (usually $X.99).  If the price is a whole number, i.e. $6.00, $12.50, then it is a clearance price and is probably a price loss.
3.  To avoid the "Norwalk Crawl" on the 5 northbound and southbound, try taking the 605 and 91.  I learned this coming back from LAX to Irvine on a Supershuttle, the driver took 105 to 605 southbound, skip the 5, then 91 east to the 5 southbound.  This bypasses the stretch of 5 freeway where there is only 3 lanes and always a semi merging into your lane.
4.  Speaking of traffic, get the sigalert app for your smart phone, it's free and a definite lifesaver
5.  If you're are missing a front license plate on your car, don't ever go to John Wayne Airport, the bike sheriffs will write you a ticket immediately (if you need a replacement plate, go to the Auto Club, turn in the existing plate, they will give you new plates right then and there for $19)
6.  Turn on your heater at least once during the summer and your AC at least once during the winter (keeps the machinery lubricated)
7.  Every Sunday, run the faucets you don't usually use in the house for a few minutes...this prevents leaks/putty drying out, etc.
8.  Use AMEX whenever possible, they are much easier to dispute charges if there is ever a problem.
9.  Always check your credit card receipt you use at restaurants with your monthly statement, once in a while I get a fat fingered waiter who punches in the tip wrong. 
10.  Be extra careful going northbound on the 5 freeway near 55 interchange, alot of crazy drivers and accidents there...

I'll update if I can think of more, I don't have model home pics to contribute anymore and this will occupy my boredom until Orchard Hills comes out. 
 
12.  If you're good with legal stuff/writing deeds, free forms at
http://www.fidelityoc.com/pages/forms-documents-246877http://www.firstamericantitle.com/blank_documents.phphttp://www.ocltic.com/default.aspx?pp=207150

these are copied from the OC Clerk-Recorder website at
http://egov.ocgov.com/ocgov/Clerk-Recorder - Tom Daly/Online Forms

We setup a living trust and had to take the house out of the trust during the last refinance, I was able to put it back in the trust by copying my attorneys words using the deed forms from above.  Saved $$$ (too bad I didn't know about AAA's $7 notary fee, I paid $10 at Postal Annex). 
 
- Avoid long post office lines by visiting a postal contract station instead. They can be found inside some gift shops like Hallmark, some pharmacies. They do almost everything a main post office does except for P.O. boxes and passports. They do money orders, international mail, etc. You will find the shortest lines. There is even a drive-thru P.O. in Tustin where you can buy postage at the window without getting out of the car! (Packages need to be brought inside). It is called Tustin Community Pharmacy at 13400 Newport Ave. Ste. B. I used to work there!

- Never clean schmutz off your car with a paper towel. It doesn't matter if it's wet or dry. It will scratch the finish. This may be obvious to men but not most women. I had to learn the hard way. Especially if it's bird poop. It is abrasive. Letting it sit is not good either. It will etch the surface because it's acidic, too. Basically, keep it out of the bird poop.

- Don't be overly aggressive brushing your teeth. Harder is not better. It will cause damage to the gums. Hold your toothbrush with one or two fingers and a thumb. It won't feel hard enough. That is okay. If you use toothpicks, use balsa so it won't splinter.

- If you have children, use / buy distressed furniture. You won't be able to tell when they inevitably beat it up.

- www.askdrsears.com is a lifeline for when your kids are sick. You will know exactly when to freak out and when not to. More often than not, it will save you an unnecessary trip to the doctor when you learn what to look for. It eliminates a lot of those middle-of-the-night questions.

- Go out of your way to be loving to your spouse. Frequently ask yourself what is the nicest thing you could say or do. Do it.

- Do internet searches ahead of time for etiquette on things like which fork to use first and how much to tip so that when you find yourself in those situations, you will be a pro and not awkwardly fumbling around.

 
- Use Corelle dishes. They are kid-friendly / nonbreakable and very durable but still look nice. They are also very cost-effective. Just watch out for the mugs. They don't make Corelle mugs anymore. They are ceramic now. The best part about the dishes is they are light-weight, so your kids can help set and clear the table.
 
Random life tip, when blowing your nose, do it one nostril at a time, for some reason it is much easier to get the gunk out this way.  Might need a physicist/ENT to explain this one.

If water gets in your ear(s), hop on one leg while tilting your head towards the affected ear.  You'll look stupid but it works, make sure you're on firm footing (i.e. away from pool area).  Again don't know why it works but for me during swim season, it works 95% of the time.  If all else fails, get the Swim Ears drops at the drugstore, that works wonders too, and you won't look like a bouncing fool.  I keep the drops around for my little one in case she gets water in her ear during her bath, sooner is better to prevent ear infections.
 
ps9 said:
Random life tip, when blowing your nose, do it one nostril at a time, for some reason it is much easier to get the gunk out this way.  Might need a physicist/ENT to explain this one.
Click to expand...

i think by blowing one nostril at a time you are doubling the amount of air/pressure that would otherwise be split in half.  im mot an physicist/ENT but i did stay at a holiday inn last night.
 
Make new out of old by re-purposing items.

Right now, I'm making an end table out of a short bar stool as the base and an old cabinet door as the table top. I'm painting a checkerboard on top to use as a game table. No tools required - just use Gorilla Glue or Liquid Nails... some paint, spackle, and polyacrylate and it's good to go. Using an old cabinet door alone, you can make a chalk board by painting the recessed or raised area with chalk paint then hang in on the wall. Or use it to make a bulletin board. Hang a wall-mounted wine rack in the bathroom as a place to store rolled up towels. Use an old VCR cassette tape holder as a wall-mounted picture frame with storage. The list goes on!
 
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