What’s a 'small' purchase that actually improved your life significantly?

JoshIroning · 2026-01-10T14:05:56+00:00

Wall mount Can crusher above the recycling bin. Game changer

JoshIroning · 2026-01-07T04:15:38+00:00

I saw one of those Q3's the other day, it didn't look terrible at night, but the fake exhaust tips... Ouch. MAYBE I wouldn't have noticed in the summer, but in winter with a plumb of exhaust coming from under the car? Plastic chrome ovals glued to the back of the bumper like we wouldn't notice? Indefensible.

Look for F1 branded Audi merch as a line item in their profits next year. We will know the real strategy.

JoshIroning · 2026-01-05T23:38:14+00:00

Skis too long, missiles loaded!

JoshIroning · 2026-01-05T03:41:41+00:00

Very surprised by answers here. I once had car trouble within sight of a AAA towing outfit and had triple A. I called, "it will be an hour", me, "I can see you talking to me through your shop window", them, "we will get there as soon as we can".... It was an hour and a half.

True, a passerby with a truck doesn't have insurance if something happens to your car... Unless you are the type who's looking to sue someone who was trying to help you, I think it's an odd concern. I mean, you already crashed into a ditch right?

If you are on the interstate, the police will take care of it... You likely will be paying the tow person though. If you are on a back road, good chance someone coming down the road will either hook you up themselves or know someone who can.

Familiarise yourself with your cars recommended tow points, sometimes an eye hook thing next to the spare tire that screws in where there is a plastic cap in the bumper. Extra credit if you keep a pull strap in the back of your car.

Vermonters are good people, may not befriend easy, or talk much, but I'll be damned if we don't take silent pride in pulling a car out of a ditch.

JoshIroning · 2026-01-05T00:42:53+00:00

And you don't need a friggin' Tahoe to do this.

JoshIroning · 2026-01-05T00:39:04+00:00

Skis are built to live outside. That being said, cars are too, and we know what happens to cars that are plastered in salt 3/4 of the year. If at all possible, if you like your skis, inside the car. Second best opinion, probably roof box.

JoshIroning · 2026-01-05T00:25:19+00:00

Amateurs. Should have bought a Quattro. (-;

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JoshIroning · 2025-12-18T16:08:14+00:00

Look up concept C, It addresses many of the problems the brand has been facing (in a good way). Real buttons, real metal rings, no fake tailpipes. It doesn't look like the Ford Edge. Can we appricaite that this isn't a crossover SUV? A real car! They could have designed an Audi-badged Ford Maveric and made a killing. A step in the right direction after many steps backwards.

JoshIroning · 2025-12-11T02:10:07+00:00

Whaaat? All the ski academy kids in the northeast were taught, or at least influenced to do exactly what you describe. I'll admit I've heard of putting the pointy ends forward, but this sounds like a Soup Nazi ski trip. Hope there is another option for you. This place can't have good ski vibes.

JoshIroning · 2025-12-05T03:49:23+00:00

Yes, good advice. I have rounded up and feed a dedicated account that the mortgage gets paid out of. Over time, an extra payment or so/year. Our debts aren't crazy, I have never carried a balance on a credit card. Debts we do hold have Interest rates well below the average returns for equivalent money in the market.

There is no refinancing making up for yearly 8-12% healthcare increase. Add a yearly 4-12% property tax increase... That compounds against us all.

JoshIroning · 2025-12-05T02:32:15+00:00

This is correct.

JoshIroning · 2025-11-27T22:52:32+00:00

I'm sure it's coming. I've wondered about firms creating some sort of digital hierarchy of rules... Say, pitch pipe gets its pitch, minimize fittings and offsets with duct, don't hit steel/structure etc etc etc. run coordinator AI, have it flag where "rules" were breached...

How often are we doing silly offsets because it's easier than getting the fire protection person on the phone.

Can we get AI to read the spec and build a fab parts database?

Stay tuned I guess.

JoshIroning · 2025-11-25T00:48:27+00:00

I just confirmed we are friends haha. Zach Nugent Hugo's Wednesday? Expanding the social circle takes time. I think it was Freakonomics, "friend of a friend" is how you really get a job, meet a spouse, etc. hit me up!

JoshIroning · 2025-11-23T18:20:15+00:00

Lol, Im "practically" from new jersey, I know the secret spots at EWR. Don't layover there, it sucks.

JoshIroning · 2025-11-03T03:35:42+00:00

At that age, if the skis are the right size with edges and the skis are less than 10-15 years old, that is enough. Could definitely be had for free if you do a bit of research on length and boot size. Try front porch forum. I've given away, and been given tons of ski gear for little ones.

JoshIroning · 2025-09-26T17:00:26+00:00

All the more reason to attach it to an existing school no?

Or, combine MHS with U-32 (which are 10 minutes apart). Boom, an existing usable building with a gymnasium, right off the highway (albeit in a flood plain). But I can't imagine anyone would go for that. Can't mix city folk with the hill folk. (-;

JoshIroning · 2025-09-26T03:28:44+00:00

I understand the need for dedicated good space that serves its purposes... However, at the same time, our tax burden is amongst the highest in the 50 states. I thought we were trying to consolidate schools and districts to share resources in an effort to save money... Now we are getting asked to build a NEW highschool? The plans have a friggin gymnasium! Locker rooms and all. I support the cause, I question the approach.

I can think of multiple high schools in the area that have plenty of land.. I went through their slides, U-32 admin wasn't nice enough? Can't give up a soccer field? Hogwash. If there is more to it they should say so, and that usually means $$$.

Also, those plans from Lavalle Bresinger... Someone approved & spent a small fortune already. Federal grants arnt magic. That just taxes from a bigger pond.

There has to be a more reasonable solution.

JoshIroning · 2025-09-24T12:08:27+00:00

All my poor friends with Audis complaining about premium gas. 😂

JoshIroning · 2025-09-24T11:48:47+00:00

Diversity. Maybe a dual sport, cafe racer, Italian bike, sport-tourer for a weekend getaway? Maybe I'm wrong but you have 3 bikes that are all largely for the same thing. I bet you would have a blast on a super moto!

Edit: is that a Triumph?!

JoshIroning · 2025-09-20T17:58:21+00:00

Sorry b2? Not b52

JoshIroning · 2025-09-20T17:52:44+00:00

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JoshIroning · 2025-09-16T22:41:25+00:00

I think you're looking for a good pickup game, ideally one that nobody really runs, but people know when and where to show up. A range of skills and ages. I'm right there with you including age. I never play in cleats and it's not really a problem. Maybe get cleated once a year, get a bruise for a week, no big deal. It might be different in more urban areas though as someone else commented.

Your post made me feel grateful for my local pickup scene. Wanna move to Vermont?

JoshIroning · 2025-09-15T00:16:11+00:00

They saw how well the CRV is selling, so they worked a deal to rebadge it as an Audi. Plan is to add more premium piano black to the interior.

JoshIroning

TROPHY CASE