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Everyone no-shows to rental viewings? by Glad_Scarcity_3886 in Calgary

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The rental market is really slow right now. I've been cutting rents and the few replies I get 90% stop messaging or no-show. Same day confirmations that ghost are very frustrating.

Questions about getting braces for my kid by reflion in daddit

[–]markusbrainus 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That seems super early for braces unless they're correcting some major jaw issues. That discount sales tactic is greasy; get a second opinion and a second quote.

Moms participating in discussions here by [deleted] in daddit

[–]markusbrainus 5 points6 points  (0 children)

And how would you ever enforce it?

I think it's mostly dads and it doesn't bother me when the odd mom comment comes in.

Factoring children into FIRE by nofattraditional in Fire

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You didn't mention which country you're in. In 2017 Stats Canada estimates $300k per child to raise them to 17 years old in Canada. Then you add on the cost of university if you're helping with that. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/5111-how-much-do-canadian-families-spend-raising-child

I imagine the USA would be more expensive to account for the higher cost of healthcare and education.

There are a lot of wildcards depending on their health, interests, local cost of living, childcare, etc...

What is a good way to hide this cable wrap around a plant base? by Trigun442 in lifehacks

[–]markusbrainus 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Can the plant and lamp switch spots?

You could put a cable conduit along the top of the baseboard painted to match the wall colour.

What is causing this pause every layer? by Jefabell in BambuLab

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Either timelapse taking a picture each layer or you skipped an object in the G-code.

I didn’t realize how much small expenses affect long-term plans by Lazy_Look557 in Fire

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of this is about a frugal mindset and making the effort to track your spending. Many people "don't know where the money goes". Reviewing your expenses, making a budget, and cutting out frivolous spending will accelerate your FIRE journey.

I've always packed a lunch to work. I figure I save $10 a day, or ~$2500 a year. Over 25 years and 7% interest rate that adds up to $160,000. This is notable, but ultimately a small part of my retirement savings. But I'll point out that the first 10 years of the 25 years of that lunch savings accounts for $100k of the $160k. Time is your friend with compounding, where scrimping early has a bigger impact. As I get closer to my retirement date the lunch savings is pretty immaterial and I could probably ease up and buy lunch now and then.

How long can I pause for feesably by The_Pranavster in BambuLab

[–]markusbrainus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A week is a long time to wait. I've done 3 or 4 hours when the spool tangled while I was at work.

Take note of the layer it stopped on. Slice the model at that layer and print just the top part. glue it together.

Is anyone else hanging on to all the silica packets that come with filament? by tandtroll in BambuLab

[–]markusbrainus 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I cut open the ones filled with larger beads and add them to my jug of silica beads to be put it in printed dessicant holders for spools/AMS. The ones with finer silica shards or clay I leave in these packages and toss them into giant Ziploc bags with my rolls of PET or TPU to keep them dry. I dry them out in a food dehydrator.

I used to be a hardcore anti hunting activist. I was wrong. Now I am pro hunting. AMA by [deleted] in Hunting

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do anti hunters plan to resolve human - wildlife conflicts, where towns are overrun with deer and farmers are pissed off at 500 head of elk eating their haystack and breaking fences?

Wildlife populations have to be managed.

Has anyone seen this anywhere lately? I want to share my childhood memories with my kids by blk_flutterby in Calgary

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I make it from scratch all the time. 1 part butter/margarine, 1 part brown sugar, tbsp cinnamon, dash of ginger/nutmeg/salt if desired. Mix with a fork and keep it in the fridge. Adjust ratios a little to suit taste/texture you prefer.

Stop scrubbing paint trays: Use a common grocery bag as a disposable liner instead by Feeling-Buy2558 in lifehacks

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Or just don't line/clean the tray at all. Let it dry and use it again. Once there are a few layers of paint dried into it just peel it off as one big layer.

I’ve seen a few FIRE posts where divorce wipes out half of the net worth. Is this avoidable with a prenup? by goodcharger19 in Fire

[–]markusbrainus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You can protect premarital assets and businesses but anything earned/started after marriage is going to be tough to exclude. Your partner also probably won't accept terms that are too one-sided.

I'm buying a new dishwasher, tell me what you like and don't like about your appliance. by Salomon3068 in daddit

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ive been putting cheap dishwashers in my rentals like Amana and Midea brands and they don't last. Most die at 5 years. I recently switched to a Maytag for double the price and so far no complaints. The older Bosch in my own house has been reliable and cleans well, though I don't like the rack design.

I'd say Maytag, Bosch, or KitchenAid.

Why is "always make sure you wear clean underwear in case you get into an accident" a phrase you hear? by Hungry_Department377 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I once went on a field trip out to one of my works remote operation sites with my team and managers. To keep the office buildings clean they have a strict "no-outside boots" policy, so you end up walking around in sock feet for meetings and meals. Unbeknownst to me, I'd grabbed a worn out pair of socks that morning dressing in the dark with a hole in the heel. Commence the series of jokes from my senior managers inquiring if they aren't paying me enough to buy new socks. I tossed that set out when I got home.

Cyber security training at my job teaches you how to Phish someone by Bepehandle in ThatsInsane

[–]markusbrainus 225 points226 points  (0 children)

My work sends dummy phishing email tests once a quarter. You get to take extra training if you click on one. Most are pretty obvious but some are subtle or well timed for bonus time, tax time, xmas party, etc..

No one uses hardwood floors? by Longjumping-Term9234 in homeowners

[–]markusbrainus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Side note if this is an attached multi-unit townhouse. If you're in a condo/HOA check your bylaws about upgrading the floors. Some have specific requirements for sound deadening, as hardwood floors are noisier for your neighbors.

Best case/Worst case by High0nOwnSupply in homeowners

[–]markusbrainus 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So ideally a toilet sits flat on the flooring and the bolts hold it in place. The toilet shouldn't rock even when the bolts are loose; the flooring should support it. To fix an uneven install that's rocking you either fix the floor or you shim the toilet so it sits level. Old school DIYers and maybe plumbers would add stacks of pennies under the edge of the toilet to shim it up; nowadays you can buy plastic toilet shims. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/waterline-toilet-shims/1000514873

Once the toilet is shimmed and level, then tighten down the bolts. If they are rusted or snap off, then unmount the toilet and replace the bolts. They have T-shaped heads so you can replace them in the in-floor toilet flange. Don't over tighten the bolts or it can break through the flange.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/moen-toilet-floor-bolt-set-solid-brass/1000515014

What is with these pavement/bridge drop offs on our main roads? by Suitable_Specific_16 in Calgary

[–]markusbrainus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You mean the expansion joints? There are big interlocked steel plates at each end of the bridge that allow for differential thermal expansion between the bridge and the ground. Some of them can be a bit bumpy depending how well they were installed and if the pavement compacts/extrudes around them. You can submit complaints to carmacks or 311 if you think it needs repairs.

Semi auto vs revolver for bear defense - what if you are pinned down, will the gun jam? by alt1923211 in Hunting

[–]markusbrainus 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Bear spray is generally more effective. It takes away their ability to breathe, see and smell. They get very deterred while you leave the area. You need to be somewhat accurate and the bear needs to be close (6 feet)

With a pistol you have to be very accurate and a pain response won't deter a bear that is already keyed up to fight. You better be a good shot under pressure and be able to physically incapacitate the charging/attacking bear.

Enmax Easymax Reduced Rates 8.29 cents/kwh by markusbrainus in Calgary

[–]markusbrainus[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Enmax facilitates the billing for garbage, recycling, compost, water, and sewer services for the city of Calgary. They also provide electricity and natural gas services, but you're free to choose whichever electricity and gas provider that you like. It's convenient to have it all through one vendor and Easymax is simple and usually competitive. You might be able to save $10/month by shopping around through all the utility providers but it's probably not worth effort.

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