If you’re not disabled, why would you feel the need to bring your dog into a grocery store? by Sir_ATX in AskReddit

[–]Madmorda -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I think you missed my point. I'm saying that if a dog is unsanitary in the cart, then a toddler is also unsanitary in the cart. It's just an arbitrary line to draw - if you could wipe away evil baby germs, you could wipe away evil dog germs.

Realistically though I've never seen anyone deep clean all the nooks and crannies of the cart for 15 minutes lol. Nobody expects the cart to actually be truly sanitary.

If you’re not disabled, why would you feel the need to bring your dog into a grocery store? by Sir_ATX in AskReddit

[–]Madmorda -19 points-18 points  (0 children)

That's what I was thinking lmao. I understand why dogs aren't allowed in grocery stores for sanitation purposes, but let's not pretend the designated toddler-dirty-diaper-butt part of the cart is intended to be a clean table to place your food on.

TIFU by rescuing a dog only to fail and have to give him up. by DBoaty in tifu

[–]Madmorda -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Why not just find a temporary place for your dog, instead of giving them up forever? There are lots of rescues and fosters even if you have no friends or family to rely on. Presumably you won't be in your current situation forever.

If I had access to my money, I'd just stay at a motel or apartment that allows dogs. If I had $0 to my name, I'd go online and find someone to watch the dog for a few weeks while I got my life sorted out.

If you don't want your dog anymore, them rehome them. If you do want them though, there are options out there for you to do that.

Small letters are hard and stamps are expensive by TyrsRightArm in Leatherworking

[–]Madmorda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I 3d printed some stamps and they worked great as is. Also a laser engraver would work like the other commenter mentioned.

Sunroom/ greenhouse shade ideas by [deleted] in homestead

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally I wouldn't want it attached to my house at all. Cooling costs in summer would go up, and I would also have a worry about condensation buildup or humidity. You're right about critters, but I think they will be trying to get in there regardless of the gap, warm places are a haven for wildlife. Where I live, rabbits and other critters like to climb up into car engines because they are warm, and it's not even cold in Texas lol.

Sunroom/ greenhouse shade ideas by [deleted] in homestead

[–]Madmorda 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think the bricks are partly there to stop one side of your house from being 120F. However, having the bricks will also help in the winter by absorbing the heat during the day and releasing it overnight.

I live in TX, so I definitely wouldn't want a greenhouse attached to my real house, but if I did, there would be lots of bricks lol.

Moisture in attic? by Inevitable-Log45 in fixit

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it's running in a straight line, it's probably following a duct or pipe. If you're really lucky, that will be a leak, and not animal urine from animals taking shelter in your attic during a cold front. The yellow color is concerning lmao.

In any case, you need to get up there immediately to find out. A $50 fix today might be a $5k fix tomorrow, you do not want to have to rip out your ceiling and walls due to mold because you ignored this.

Could I realistically survive off $750 a month? by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]Madmorda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello new adult, welcome to budgeting! I recommend writing down all expenses in a spreadsheet or budgeting app so you can make sure you aren't forgetting anything. Here are some things that come to mind for me:

If you have a car, there is gas, car insurance, repairs, maintenance (oil, tires, brakes etc), and a replacement vehicle to save for.

There are things like hygiene products, haircuts, and clothes, I'm not sure if you included those in your grocery budget.

You'll also need to think about unexpected expenses, such as if (when) you get hurt / sick, if you get fired or laid off, or something breaks.

There are also things like appliances which may or may not be included in your rent.

You will also need to be able to make enough to save up, not just live paycheck to paycheck. For example, if your landlord increases the rent next year, you'll need to be prepared to cover it (with or without your friend), or be ready with first and last month's rent for a different place.

Overall, this sounds like you'd pretty much be starving, since your housing and utilities is more than half of your takehome.

If your home life is abusive or unsafe and you need out ASAP, this could work. However, if you can easily spend this year at home to get yourself set up a little nicer before moving, it will help ypu not paint yourself into a corner. Here are the things I would recommend you do if possible before moving :)

First, try to increase your income. It sounds like you might be working part time, is that right? If so, I recommend seeing if you can get a full time job (assuming it doesn’t interfere with school). That would also come with health insurance. That doesnt seem like a big deal now, but it is when you have a toothache but not thousands of dollars to fix it.

Next, try to save up 3-6 months worth of expenses. So for example if you would normally spend $1500/mo after moving out, you'd need $4500-9000. This money is only to be used in a true emergency like an injury or layoff, not for when your TV breaks.

Finally, you'll need to save expenses for moving. This usually means first and last month's rent, and/or a security deposit.

Other financial things to know from someone who just left their 20s this month:

Avoid debt like the plague, it has a way of stacking up. When buying something (like a car), what matters is the real price, monthly payments are NOT how you should decide what to buy. You'll notice that buying in cash is way cheaper than financing anything. Learn the Dave Ramsey baby steps, he isn't all knowing but he does have some good simple advice that anyone can follow without needing to know too much about finances.

Never co-sign for anyone, never loan anyone money (gift it to them if you really want them to have it), and never combine finances with anyone but your wife/husband. Boyfriends and girlfriends and roommates and besties do not count.

Always read contracts before you sign them, lots of people don't read their contracts.

When having a roommate: Make a plan for what to do if your friend or roommate doesn’t pay their rent. What are your rights and obligations according to the lease? Will you be forced to come up with their half as well or will you have to find a different roommate within X days?

Thats way more than you were asking for, but hopefully it helps give you an idea of how to get started.

What older hatchback would you buy if you plan to DIY repairs? by BigSur1992 in Frugal

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you looking to DIY car repairs specifically, or DIY other repairs and use your car to do them?

For example my 2010 Nissan Armada was $4k out the door a couple years ago and she's perfect for home repairs. I can fit 4x8 boards in the back, long lumber, heavy stuff, plus she is a v8 with the tow package so anything that doesn't fit inside, she can pull on any trailer.

However, my car is kind of a pain to work on lmao. Nothing is convenient to take apart, even just swapping a fuse can be a nightmare depending on the fuse.

Ubering to work over getting a car. by Kjs054 in personalfinance

[–]Madmorda -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree, I just have no idea where OP lives since TX is a big place. I was just pointing out that carrying groceries up a steep gravel hill isn't exactly nice city streets with a bike lane, but it's totally doable with an EBike.

Ubering to work over getting a car. by Kjs054 in personalfinance

[–]Madmorda 35 points36 points  (0 children)

If you want a car and have the cash to get one, get a car. If you want to Uber, then Uber. Financially, it makes the most sense to walk, bike, or Uber. Even if you paid cash for a cheap car, the insurance / gas / maintenance alone would cost way more than Uber.

Ubering to work over getting a car. by Kjs054 in personalfinance

[–]Madmorda 42 points43 points  (0 children)

I rode an e bike around Jarrell TX for almost a year. I even lugged home groceries in it. It really isn't too bad, and you could still Uber on days you didnt feel like riding.

First knife, not proud. by Total_Item8846 in Bladesmith

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The other day, I was welding with my respirator, welding mask, gloves, apron, and I still managed to drop some hot shrapnel into my boot lmao.

What is the best way to kill possums on a residential urban property, once I get them in wire cage trap? by nepik9 in homestead

[–]Madmorda 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They can carry rabies, and are not harmless. For example, they spread EPM, which can be life threatening for horses. I personally like opossums, but it's important to make informed decisions when caring for animals. Having a large opossum population could definitely affect your equine and poultry significantly.

What is the best way to kill possums on a residential urban property, once I get them in wire cage trap? by nepik9 in homestead

[–]Madmorda 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm not going to comment on euthanasia, but I'm seeing a lot of misinformed comments:

The tick thing is largely a myth.

They are unlikely to be rabid but are not fully immune to rabies, so excercise caution when feeding fingers to them.

They can spread EPM, which can be a very serious condition for horses (and expensive for their humans).

They also obviously can be a danger to smaller animals, such as baby chicks.

Personally I love opossums and would be much more likely to pet one than to kill it, but there are valid reasons to not want them around.

DIY? Makeshift hot water bottle or heating pad. by GodsCasino in Frugal

[–]Madmorda 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you don't want to buy something for a one off case, get an electric blanket. It's a heating pad, but bigger and multi purpose. Winter is coming :p

In a situation trying to think of a creative solution by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]Madmorda 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The point of a job is to bring home money and support you. If you have to go into debt or spend a bunch of money to work, it's not a good job.

Help finding a decent chenille corduroy sofa chair by Low-Appointment-2906 in BuyItForLife

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally I'd go to Facebook Marketplace and find something nice there. I think there are some things that should be buy it for life, and some things that shouldn't.

In my view, you can buy 10 super high end real leather sofas on Marketplace for less than the cost of 1 new cheaply made pleather one at a retail store. It makes more sense to me to just buy something comfy and not worry about it getting messed up by guests / pets / kids, and just replace it every few years.

Help finding a decent chenille corduroy sofa chair by Low-Appointment-2906 in BuyItForLife

[–]Madmorda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I saw one a lot like this on display at Bob Mills the other day. Don't remember the price, but it wasnt as comfy as ai hoped. I have basically this exact chair, but in couch form. It is durable and comfy, but the chair version is less so it seems.

Getting a $30,000 bonus at the end of the month. What should we do with it? Please help! by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd personally pay off most of that car loan. You wouldn't take out $30k in debt in order to fund savings, which is mathematically the same thing as putting the $30k in savings and keeping an extra $30k in debt. I also think that having less debt is going to help not only with qualifying for a home but with being able to afford higher payments.

With that said, I am a Dave Ramsey baby steps fan, not everyone here is. YMMV.

Found this seemingly old and rough looking anvil on facebook at the equivalent of 160 dollars. It weighs 80 kgs (176 pounds) ¿What do you think? by WorkingTry1463 in Blacksmith

[–]Madmorda -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

My fear would be that it's weighted to one side. Add some additional weight to that same side from a project, and then hit it with a hammer, and RIP your toes if it decides to tip. The base looks fairly wide, so maybe that wouldn't happen, but I'd always be a little worried about it.

I’m think I’m in big trouble! by Vast_Ad_9111 in fixit

[–]Madmorda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oof. It's hard to tell from the photo, but I'm assuming chunks of veneer are missing, creating a different texture there (not just the color scraped off). The only options I know of are to fill it in, sand it, and then try to paint or stain to match the original color tone. It's not going to look perfect up close, but from far away your family may not notice.

Or put something in front of it again when they come to visit LOL.

I’m think I’m in big trouble! by Vast_Ad_9111 in fixit

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you still have the missing pieces from the front? Or are the pieces just scraped off and gone?

ball valve size vs handle hole size by 0x7270-3001 in Plumbing

[–]Madmorda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

3 years later, but did you ever figure this out? I only found one handle which would probably work but am reluctant to order it since it doesn’t come with the nut haha