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Re: If I were going to buy an EV, which one? - 2 days ago

Take a look at the little Volvo EX30. Comes out 2024, costs $37 before options but including shipping. No rebate but it's a fast, comfortable, useful car.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: and in a related subject - medigap - 7 days ago

F. We talked to a number of insurance advisors, read about the coverage and options, and despite the expense for the 'Cadillac' plan. This website compares Blue Shield medigap benefits. The costs are based on age rather than community, so they always increase. We have found it more than worthwhile and have received total benefits that are greater than the total premiums we paid.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: clean weed killer - 4 months ago

We have had good results with bleach. Got a large glue syringe and squirted bleach into the driveway cracks. Weeds wilted in two days and a reapplication discouraged new growth. Some people add Dawn to get better foliar spread. Needs seasonal renewal, but it's cheap, quick, effective and non toxic to humans. (You don't want to breathe bleach fumes; I use a respirator.)

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: what is your favorite way to repair (glue) plastic cracks ? - 10 months ago

Original dark grey JB weld. Clean and sand surfaces first, then mix JB Weld completely and put all over region to be joined. I would use a brace to hold it firmly in place and not touch or move it overnight.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Shoulder surgery on Monday - any tips, from people who've been there? - 1 year ago

Rent an ice machine if they don't offer you one. It kept my sister relatively comfortable for the week and a half she desperately needed pain control without opiate constipation. Plan to sleep sitting up as a bed is likely to result in pain and movements you should not make for a while. A recliner well worked for my sister. Plan on a longer recovery than medical estimates; better to baby yourself

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Hot Plate Recommendations? - 1 year ago

Agree-Duxtop 110v induction hot plate works splendidly for us. Excellent heating time and control.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Gifting car to daughter, how do I do this? - 1 year ago

Depending on your state and the value of the car you may be limited to the amount you can give someone without incurring additional estate taxes. For 2022 that limit is $16000. States are all over the place on this question for state estate taxes/gift limits, and any answer will require research. Although it's unlikely that a car you give to a child will be worth more than the limit, if you give

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Looking for reviews-Quest 2 All-In-One VR Headset- anybody own one? - 1 year ago

No intent to hijack the thread,, but I have been interested in VR for chronic pain. The research and custom apps that hospitals and physicians have developed seems very convincing as to effectiveness. Does anyone have experience with using VR for control of chronic pain? Thanks-

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: zinc strips on shingled roof - 1 year ago

I used exposed copper strips rather than zinc just under the cap course and the roof has been mildew free for 15+ years. Our older garage roof has no copper and plenty of mildew...

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: who's got an idea? filling a large tank. - 1 year ago

Try a bubbler. It screws onto the end of the hose and breaks up the strong stream into small holes so the water doesn't dig into the ground. They are about $8. Amazon has 'em but so do Lowes, HD, etc.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: I think I need a paper shredder. Recommendations? - 1 year ago

The two things that make for successful shredding in my experience are: -don't try to shred too much at once. Check the heat of the motor by touching it, and use about half the capacity suggested in the instructions. So for a 12 sheet shredder use six sheets. Avoid staples and brads. -lubricate the shredder blades with a little oil about every five uses. Canola oil works well, but a dispenser i

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Tax software on sale - 2 years ago

Snagged it! Thank you; great price and software that works well for me.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: I have scored a (temporary?) victory against the vermin - 2 years ago

Good work. Next time shred steel wool and stuff it into the holes leaving most of the cavit open. Spray in the foam, which will hold the steel wool in place. Rodents chew on the steel wool and without the ability to vomit, the steel wool blocks their intestines and kills them. My old, very elderly used to mix plaster of Paris and cornmeal 1::1. The plaster would set up in their intestines killing

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - 2 years ago

Best bet is a respirator with activated charcoal AND P100 filter. Some of the nasty bits in wildfire smoke are volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. P100 takes out some of the first and much of the second, but with a respirator 3m you will get first class protection. Now they are a drag on your face, and it makes breathing more difficult; I just walk without pushing it when I have to exerc

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Is anybody using an Oculus Quest? - 2 years ago

Not to hijack the threat, I am struggling to help a relative with chronic pain after an auto accident three years ago and have seen very encouraging research about the use of Oculus Quest in burn wards where they have to do daily, excruciating debreing the wounds. If anyone has knowledge or experience of this use of the Oculus Quest I would really appreciate it.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: I have a big hole in the yard. Best way to make a cheap simple goldfish pond? - 2 years ago

A rubber pond liner should work very well. They last >20 years IF they don't get punctured. The liners are uv resistant, conform to nearly any hole, non toxic to fish, and relatively inexpensive. They come in all sizes but can be cut with a razor knife. I second the small pump and uv filter idea to keep the water appealing and attractive. Inexpensive and makes a big difference.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Show me your sleep data - 2 years ago

I use Sleepscore by ResMed (free). Seems closest in accuracy to my old Zeo sleep tracker which was the only tracker that gave a fairly accurate reading for sleep stages (light, REM, deep, wake). Sleepscore has a kind of funky graph, but in other regards works well. Wifi/Bluetooth can be off but the phone must be on a cord or puck for charging. Positioning the phone is important, but the app has g

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Gluing a rubber mat to painted metal? - 2 years ago

Double sided tape? Some of that stuff is really strong and thin; I have never had a problem with latex paint or rattler can enamel lifting when I remove double sided tape.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Friday Funnies - 3 years ago

Marriage Counselor: Your wife says you never buy her flowers. Is that true? Him: To be honest, I never knew she sold flowers.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Friday Funnies - 3 years ago

I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new shoes (he is 83). We decided to grab a bite at the food court. I noticed he was watching a teenager sitting next to him. The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors - green, red, orange, and blue. My dad kept staring at her. The teenager kept looking and would find my dad staring every time. When the teenag

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Apple Pencil - can someone school me? - 3 years ago

The major advantage of the Apple pencil (gen 1 or gen 2) is that there is zero lag between movement and writing or tapping the screen. Other stylii have varying amounts of lag which is distracting and irritating. Apple pencils also allow tilt and pressure sensitivity which is great for graphics if that is a priority. The Apple pencil works via BlueTooth and charges from the lightning port. You ca

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: It's Friday? Friday Funnies - 3 years ago

An Elementary School Teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. 1 Don't change horses……until they stop running. 2 Strike while ……the bug is close. 3 It's always darkest ……before daylight saving time. 4 Never underestimate ……the po

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: I no longer offer to help my friends with their computers. - 3 years ago

Your experience was heartening to me as I am in the same, "used to help friends, coworkers, elderly and family with computers but no more. I got so tired of hearing, "I know you told me not to do xxx, but...can you get my computer running like it was before?" Also, because so much of the work is mental, and what is visible is waiting for the machine to boot, software to install, di

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: I... think I need hearing aids.... - 3 years ago

Potentially useful article on airpods pro and ios 14 written by an audiologist:

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: I... think I need hearing aids.... - 3 years ago

My sister has mild hearing loss but aids were out of her budget. The air pods pro with ios 14 will allow the air pods pro to function as personal hearing amplifiers but they do environmental noise surpression. She ordered a pair, but it's worth checking out.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: stoopid question re: silicone seal cure/drying time - 3 years ago

Another thing to consider is the 'use by' date on the tube. I have used silicone caulk only 3 months after the date on the tube and it never hardened, but stayed soft and, inside the bead, sticky.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Some questions about generators - 3 years ago

An inverter generator gives 'cleaner power' with a true sine wave. It also modulates the speed of the motor to the demand. Non inverters have rougher, 'dirtier' power, and they run at a constant speed regardless of the demand. An inverter is worth it. Also, inverter generators tend to be quieter than non inverters.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: Vibration machine? Any good - 3 years ago

We had one and used it for 10 months, but felt/saw no real benefit. The research is tepid and weak as far as benefits. The marketers are aggressive in overstating effectiveness, research, and frequently mention NASA and space program use, implying endorsement. I have seen nothing in the last few years about vibration benefits that would persuade me. We gave the vibration platform away.

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - 3 years ago

One thing to consider is taking steps for a smooth edge. To get a good, smooth edge without tearout, splinters, etc, first mark the cut with a pencil on top, bottom and sides. Next, use a new razor knife blade to cut along those pencil lines. For the first cut, guided by a straight edge, mark lightly. Then mark more and more heavily, again on top, bottom and sides. Then put good quality maski

by fromish - Tips and Deals

Re: What to think about when moving to California? - 3 years ago

Interesting article in SF Chronicle 6/½0 about falling rents-

by fromish - Tips and Deals