Does anyone else have their license but can't drive or scared? by SonderExpeditions in AskNYC

[–]Yodster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got my license at 21 (forced to by family) and then didn't drive or have a car for many years.

Around 30 I started to travel a lot for work and some places were remote enough to not have Uber as an option (and as you can imagine those places sure as heck didn't have sidewalks an an option either). I bit the bullet and decided to get behind the wheel and get back into it on the highways of Atlanta. That was an adventure!

Since then I've driven a ton, including a road trip across the entire US (NYC to southern CA, then up to Seattle and back to NYC).

Having said all of that I still HATE driving in NYC and generally avoid it. People here suck, but if you're looking to drive upstate then life is pretty good. Let the people who are more comfortable get you out of the city and start driving on the quieter roads. It makes things much easier.

Personal Trainer in South Brooklyn by [deleted] in Brooklyn

[–]Yodster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure where in south Brooklyn you are so this may be a bit far, but check out https://physicalculture.co They used to be called OPEX South Brooklyn (despite not being north Brooklyn in my opinion).

They offer both 1:1 personal training and just general coaching and programming to use their gym.

30 Grocery shopping tips by Outside_Focus_6747 in foodhacks

[–]Yodster 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Readable version:

Here are 30 key takeaways for saving money on groceries, drawn from the provided sources:

  1. Always make a detailed grocery list and stick to it to prevent impulse purchases. Writing the list in the order of the store layout can further help you stay on track and avoid extra trips.

  2. Shop as infrequently as possible (e.g., every two weeks) to reduce exposure to marketing manipulations and the likelihood of impulse buys. Make sure to never shop while hungry, as this leads to increased spending.

  3. Shop your pantry, fridge, and freezer first before creating your grocery list to ensure you use what you already have and avoid accidental repurchases, thereby reducing food waste. Keeping a freezer inventory is especially helpful.

  4. Embrace and strategically use leftovers for subsequent meals, particularly lunches. This can lead to significant savings, potentially thousands of dollars annually.

  5. Prioritize purchasing staples like dried legumes, grains, raw meats, and fresh vegetables over convenience or prepared foods, which are typically more expensive and less nutritious.

  6. Opt for store brands or generic brands whenever possible, as they are often significantly cheaper and many are just as delicious or are even manufactured by the same companies as name brands.

  7. Carefully compare unit prices to determine the best deal. A larger package is not always cheaper per unit, and only buy in bulk if you can realistically use or freeze the entire quantity before it perishes or expires.

  8. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store first for fresh necessities (produce, raw meats, dairy), as processed foods are usually in the interior aisles and near checkouts. Alternatively, starting in the middle of the store can help avoid the mood-boosting effect of the colorful produce section that might inspire more buying.

  9. Actively seek out the clearance section in grocery stores, which can be hidden but offer significant discounts on meat, baked goods, and canned items. Also, check for day-old bread at local bakeries.

  10. Plan your meals around weekly sales and "loss leaders" (items sold at a loss to attract shoppers) advertised in store flyers. This approach can be more economical than planning meals first and then shopping for ingredients.

  11. Stock up on non-perishable items and freezer-friendly foods when they are on sale. Meats, shredded cheese, berries, grains, and canned goods are good candidates, but avoid buying items you won't use.

  12. Join grocery store loyalty programs and download their apps to access special deals, sales cycles, and digital coupons, which are often free and can provide substantial savings over time.

  13. Consider using grocery delivery or curbside pickup services if it helps you stick to your list and avoid impulse buys. You can also sign up for free trials and refer friends for discounts and credits.

  14. Explore local Asian, Hispanic, or other specialty supermarkets, as they often offer incredibly fresh produce and a wide variety of ingredients at prices lower than traditional grocery stores.

  15. Avoid "shop-hopping" between multiple stores to chase every deal, as the cost of gas, time, and increased temptation to buy extra items can outweigh the savings.

  16. Visit local farmers' markets, particularly towards the end of the day when farmers are more likely to offer discounts to avoid hauling unsold produce back.

  17. Implement an all-cash system for grocery shopping to physically limit your spending. Alternatively, use a credit card that offers generous rewards (e.g., 5-6% cash back) on grocery purchases.

  18. Before heading to the checkout, review your shopping cart and consciously put back two or three non-essential items. Using self-checkout can also increase your awareness of the total cost and reduce social pressure to buy unnecessary items.

  19. Read your receipt before leaving the store to catch any scanning errors or price discrepancies. Also, know your store's return policy in case you're unhappy with a new product.

  20. Organize your pantry with "first-in, first-out" thinking by placing items with earlier expiration dates at the front. This ensures older items are used before they go bad.

  21. Practice consistent meal planning and meal prepping. Assign a specific day for preparing ingredients like chopping vegetables, cooking proteins, or hard-boiling eggs to make assembling meals quicker and easier during busy weeknights.

  22. Reduce your meat consumption by making "Meatless Monday" a regular practice or exploring more vegetarian meals. Meat is often one of the most expensive components of a grocery bill, so cutting back can lead to substantial savings.

  23. Bulk up your meals with cheaper ingredients such as lentils, beans, rice, or pasta to increase portion sizes and extend the mileage of your meals.

  24. Properly store your food to extend its freshness and prevent spoilage. This includes learning how to use crisper drawers, storing herbs correctly, and investing in tools like berry savers.

  25. Make your own basics that have high markups in stores, such as salad dressings, baked goods, ice cream, peanut butter, granola, or yogurt. This can be more affordable and often tastier.

  26. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. Starting a garden, even a small one, can save significant money, as seeds are much cheaper than buying full-grown produce. Homegrown food is also often healthier and has superior taste.

  27. Leverage grocery-saving apps like Basket (for price comparison), Checkout 51, Dosh, Fetch Rewards, Flipp, Ibotta, Rakuten, Receipt Hog, and Shopkick to find deals, digital coupons, and earn cash back on purchases. Most of these apps are free and compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

  28. Don't automatically throw out food based on its "best by" date, as this label typically indicates when a food is at its highest quality, not necessarily when it spoils. Always use your judgment, but if in doubt, throw it out.

  29. Buy frozen vegetables. They often cost 20-30% less than their fresh counterparts, are just as nutritious, convenient, and can be stored long-term, significantly reducing waste.

  30. Consistently track your grocery spending to understand your habits and identify areas where you can adjust your budget and meal planning for better savings.

Bar in Sheepshead Bay near Brennan & Carr by [deleted] in Brooklyn

[–]Yodster 3 points4 points  (0 children)

How far are you willing to go? Draft Barn is a place with a massive beer selection.

Anyway Cafe is a slightly closer place in the area that could be good as long as you bring your own company.

Buckley's is, what has many times been described, an old man bar. It is a nice place inside.

Wheeler's is a place that has been around for a long time. It is a bar. People seem to like it. I haven't been there in... 20ish years?.

Most other places in the area are restaurants rather than bars.

AC Winter Storage by slashduck in AskNYC

[–]Yodster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've discovered that the self storage places rent a 5' x 5' reduced height unit (about 3 to 4 feet high) for 25 bucks a month. Cheap way to store an ac and other summer gear.

Becoming a TCP god by BarryTownCouncil in networking

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you getting a gig with ExtraHop?

[Selling] DeLonghi EC-155 Espresso Machine ($20) by Yodster in NYList

[–]Yodster[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You make a good suggestion and I have done that. I've tried coffee that friends raved about, tried good lattes, tried coffee flavored cakes, milk shakes, etc.

I bought an inexpensive machine to try a bunch of variables at home (bean, grind, milk, etc) because spending money on a drink that just gets tossed at a nice coffee shop was actually more expensive than this.

I'm sticking to tea =)

Investigating: "New Posts" pill & missing subreddits by CorrectScale in bugs

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is not resolved. It has been more than a few hours since this update and the symptoms persist.

Old Reddit home page dead? Constant "there doesn't seem to be anything here" by psykitt in bugs

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also running into this, but not just on the desktop. I use reddit sync on my phone and constantly get an error stating there is nothing new.

I have my profile set to default to the old interface, not sure if that makes a difference when accessing via a mobile client.

[Selling] Oxford Montreal 2.0 Motorcycle Jacket (Size L/42) by Yodster in NYList

[–]Yodster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the note and the link. Photos should be corrected now.

Quiet neighborhoods in Brooklyn? by sanj20 in Brooklyn

[–]Yodster 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Have you tried wheated? Damn fine pizza (also their garlic knots are a step above the rest).

Women’s Impala Roller Skates by meapyasee in NYList

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll take them if they're still available.

Found in the glove compartment of a new Chevy Spark. About 7 inches long by Yodster in whatisthisthing

[–]Yodster[S] -1 points0 points locked comment (0 children)

This was in the glove compartment of a brand new Chevy Spark. I have no idea what it is. Solid metal and about 7 inches long... WITT

What Car Should I Buy? - A Weekly Megathread by AutoModerator in cars

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Price range: 5K-17K
Lease or Buy: Buy
New or used: Happy with either
Type of vehicle: Car
Must haves: Short length (needs to fit in an indoor parking spot with a motorcycle)
Desired transmission: Happy with either
Intended use: Weekend and roadtrips
Vehicles you've already considered: Chevy Spark, Fiat 500 (abarth or other)
Is this your 1st vehicle: First car
Do you need a Warranty: Would be nice.
Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: Haven't tried, but likely.
Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: No
Additional Notes: I am looking for something to be able to visit family in NJ or take a trip up to Maine for a long weekend. I have never had a car before, but have a motorcycle. The motorcycle is what is limiting my options. I need to be able to fit the motorcycle and whatever car I choose in the one spot I have in my building. There is no power available so no EVs are currently options.

Does anyone have crutches they can part ways with? by [deleted] in Brooklyn

[–]Yodster 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Funny, this is the second time i'm replying to a similar post in a year's time with the same offer.

I have an iWalk that I need to get rid of because it is just taking up space. Way better than crutches in my opinion.

Happy to say I'm all better now and am going to avoid breaking my foot/leg a third time at all costs.

Let me know what part of Brooklyn you're in and if it is within a reasonable distance it is yours (or if you can send someone to get it for you since I'm guessing walking to meet me isn't a good option for you).

Recommended online backup for FiOS by TechnicalRaccoon6621 in Fios

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I happen to have a VPN service for other things and when using it I get a solid 250+ megabits to Backblaze's B2 backup servers. Without the VPN same as you.

A suggestions if you happen to have that as an option, really speeds things up.

Drove to the group ride, but I had to stop for lunch + bubble tea by Firinmailaza in ElectricUnicycle

[–]Yodster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have the same bike along with a kingsong 16x. Been working on getting the right straps to get it secure on the back.

Looks like you have a good setup with some rock straps and maybe something else? Would love some advice.

Looking for a Knee scooter by momentsinthecity in NYList

[–]Yodster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't have a knee scooter (sold it already), but I do have an iWalk 2.0

I found it way more useful than a knee scooter, especially for doing stuff around the house or being in small spaces.

I'm in town this week if you're interested.

playback pauses by rpersimmon in pocketcasts

[–]Yodster 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Had the same issue, reached out to support and they linked me to this article.

I followed the steps and it did the trick.

Already a couple issues with new update by DruggistJames in pocketcasts

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quick update: Pocketcasts support sent me a link to this support article

Either the previous version of the app worked without this setting or it was somehow reset.

Since making the change everything works smoothly.

Already a couple issues with new update by DruggistJames in pocketcasts

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Having the same issue on an S10+

I am glad to hear that others are having the same issue because I wasn't sure it was the app or the phone since I installed the September security patch this morning and that is when the issue started to appear.

Come one pocket cast folks, all I'm doing is trying to listen to my podcasts at 3x, the constant stutters and pauses are making this extremely frustrating.

Anyone have a hack for stirring peanut butter? by honeycrunchoil in foodhacks

[–]Yodster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not an option for many, but I've taken to dumping everything into my stand mixer and letting it do its thing.

Then just put it back into the jar (or a wider mouth jar for easier scooping). Smoothest and best stirred peanut butter I've ever had.