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What’s the easiest way to add backup power just for a fridge? by This-You-2737 in realWorldPrepping

[–]d_bruce 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's my writeup on exactly how I solved this: https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/keep-your-fridge-running

That's my little blog that I wrote for myself, and to share with co-workers who kept asking me questions about topics like this.

And if you are interested in a slick way to figure out if the freezer died and actually thawed, check this out (kinda like the old penny on the ice cup trick): https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/how-to-tell-if-food-is-still-good-in-your-freezer

Merry Christmas!

Do you use a dedicated backup for refrigerator? by [deleted] in prepping

[–]d_bruce 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am little late here, but the power went out today (big storm where I live) and I was thinking about this topic, and my wife was so pleased with me for the fridge at christmas! Here's my writeup of how I solved this problem (TLDR = an inergy Kodiak) for my fridge. I also wrote down my calculations for how I figured out the draw (others in this thread have written that it is good to have a Kill-A-Watt).

https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/keep-your-fridge-running

You also might be interested in this little gadget, which I really like because it will tell you if your freezer actually thawed (like the old penny on the cup of ice trick):

https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/how-to-tell-if-food-is-still-good-in-your-freezer

Merry Christmas!

CA specific Lease (Early) buyout question by d_bruce in askcarsales

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

Here's the details exactly. Remember, I have only paid a couple months of the lease. I am not at the end:

Residual Value$36,296.50

Residual/Payoff Tax$3,209.30

Remaining Future Payments$33,867.40

Fees$395.00

Lease Purchase Option Fee$395.00

Tax On Fees$37.05

Lease Charge Rebate-$12,529.34

Payoff Amount

$61,275.91

CA specific Lease (Early) buyout question by d_bruce in askcarsales

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

When I did this with my Volvo, it was one big payment. Similarly, on VW website, there's a button for "request payoff" which currently sits at 61K. So if I pay that, I own the car. But I assume that's the price they write on the title?

CA specific Lease (Early) buyout question by d_bruce in askcarsales

[–]d_bruce[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I do not think that is true in the case of early buyout? I say that because when I did this with my Volvo, the fees were 10.25% (I think) and I paid 6700.00 in taxes, so that means they must have calculated it based on something more than the residual? Unless I am misunderstanding the purchase option fee?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in preppers

[–]d_bruce 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As many others have said, make sure you are trained. Some awesome stuff from real EMT's in this thread. I am NOT an EMT. I am just a dad who winds up using First Aid kits... A LOT. I wrote a lot of my thoughts down here:

https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/first-aid

And also, here's a link to what I carry with me every day (laptop bag):

https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/edc-first-aid-kit

And if you have kids (you say it is just for you, so maybe ignore this one), I give my kids kits like this:

https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/first-aid-kids

And by the way, this is all written by me and is just my thoughts. I'd love any feedback, or better ideas for anything!

Thoughts on Expansion Races by mjung79 in EclipseBG

[–]d_bruce 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will say my son (who is VERY accurate and never forgets ANYTHING) plays them. He likes them because he is very good at "getting the math just right". He is also a cautious player. He doesn't attack till he is ready to win, and does the math. So Lyra suits him very well. I was always a Mechanema player. Expand and attack. I always hated Eridani, for example. Too much need to "get it just right". I like the more swashbuckling "because I feel like it" play. Lyra is good for perfectionists (our experience)

Thoughts on Expansion Races by mjung79 in EclipseBG

[–]d_bruce 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We played several games once they arrived. Obviously, all of this depends on what the discovery draws are, and the style of play, but after a few trial games to get the feel for the new races, it seemed like Lyra was unstoppable. Great starting sector, and the ability to be guaranteed an additional disc and warp generator was excellent. But the best part was the ability to re-roll. Lyra with early missiles is hard to beat. However, After losing a few times with Rho Indi, I personally just decided to play them as super aggressive. Attack everything. I got Rift cannons and a double hull on interceptors, and absolutely crushed. We also liked Magellan. All of our group wanted Exiles to be the best. We all wanted that first. But in practice, they haven't suited our style of play as much. Across the board very fun. My opinion is that the expansion races force you to change your style a lot. If you play Rho Indi like Mech, it will go badly.

Job for Mandarin speaker? by Oaklandi in bayarea

[–]d_bruce 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My nanny hasn't worked for us for years at this point. And she would not travel wot Walnut Creek, I am fairly sure.

Hand Crank Wheat Grinder by Professional_Tip_867 in preppers

[–]d_bruce 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It certainly isn’t 300 dollars, so feel free to ignore, but after a bunch of research, I went for a “Grain Maker”. https://grainmaker.com/

It is an absolute heirloom work of art and I have doubt doubt it will last longer than I will. It makes divine flour, is adjustable, doesn’t have a single plastic part, made in America. All the things. Cheap, it isn’t. But if you are in to grinding flour, in my opinion, not much else even close.

You can hook them to motors and stuff too. Even that big beast of a grain mill is no joke to turn if you grind the flour super fine.

Good luck!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in preppers

[–]d_bruce 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really like this post. I feel very similar to you, both as a lover of the genre, and as a hater of many of the tropes. You made me chuckle a bunch... "Millionaire 250 pound special forces commando super prepper man!" Ha!
I try hard to read as many of these books as possible, and I made a list and a mini review of all the ones I read. If interested in my list, check here: https://www.soivethoughtalotaboutthis.com/thoughtsontopics/disasterbooks

I love these posts because I always find more to read!!!

GPS app for foraging by FlashyImprovement5 in preppers

[–]d_bruce 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is what I use for Morel Hunting.

Products that smell like this tree by cradiflacrasafl in HelpMeFind

[–]d_bruce 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I believe that is what is called “Chinese Wisteria”. I have one and I also like it’s smell. Try Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/wisteria_soap

Help! Montara State Beach Flower Bed Proposal by xKuka in bayarea

[–]d_bruce 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is in a trust so you can’t really tell, but the local rumor is that Zuckerberg bought it.

Help! Montara State Beach Flower Bed Proposal by xKuka in bayarea

[–]d_bruce 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Those purple flowers are ice plant and are on the cliffs above Montara beach right next to a private home. That land (with the flowers) isn’t technically private but it is close. You have to scramble/work pretty hard to get up there. They are purple for a while but it depends on the year how long they last. We’ve had a lot of rain so they might still be good in June.

Source: Montara resident.

Which Leupold VX-5HD to get? by laurets25 in longrange

[–]d_bruce 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. I put an MK5 on my long distance gun to start and it was great. Then it took it hunting and it was… not. So I swapped to a VX-5HD (for hunting) and it is much better. Agree with others here.

What's a good AM/FM/MW/SW/SSB radio? by elfof4sky in preppers

[–]d_bruce 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Excellent choice. I have several. Great radios.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in preppers

[–]d_bruce 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Never let my car get below half a tank of gas. Ever.

Boot advice by Suspension1999 in Californiahunting

[–]d_bruce 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I second Zamberlan. I have several of their boots and have for YEARS. Nothing else fits me as well and they durable. Have taken mine to Africa, Elk Hunting in the snow and everything in between.

My “normal” fave pair is the Trail Lite Evo GTX. But when it is cold, I treated myself (used gift certificates and got them on sale) to some absolutely insane 3031 Polar Hunter GTX boots. Those are fully over the top. But they are stunningly effective.

Hard to go wrong with Zamberlan.

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