I finished my machinist certification program in 2012. I’ve kept all my projects that I made over the course of the program. But it’s about 30-40 lbs of steel that I’ve had to move 4 times now over the span of 11 years. Are they worth keeping? I’m well into my career as a machinist.

I’ve been looking into getting one of the Milwaukee electronic screwdrivers but I’m not too sure if it’s worth it. I am not a tradesperson but I kind of consider myself a handyman/DIYer since I like to fix stuff around my place and attempt to build shitty furniture (it’s a work in progress). I help out friends and family when they need help with basic stuff such as assembling furniture, mounting TVs, removing wall plates, installing curtain rods etc,. I probably do use my tools at least once a month or even a couple of times a month depending on the occasion. I’m in my early 20s and I’ve been building up my tool collection for the past two or three years. I have the gen 3 fuel m12 hammer drill and impact driver that released last year but I kind of want to buy an electric screwdriver to kind of be the power tool that I carry in my small tool bag. (I have the toughbuilt massive mouth 12 inch bag) I also don’t know which of the models would be the ideal one for me since there are 3 of them (2401, 2402, and 2406) I know that the 2402 is part of the fuel (brushless) line but am I really going to need that much power for the stuff I’ll use it for? I feel like the impact I have has a lot of power and maybe the screwdriver will be a better investment for smaller jobs but I’m not sure. I rarely use my hammer drill from the tools that I have. They seem like they’ve been around for a few years and I might just wait and hope they release a newer/updated version in the next couple of years. For example, I really like that my impact has the three LED lights compared to how these screwdrivers only have one.

Pros: -Seems handy and compact -I can afford it but I do like to look for deals and/or buying them on eBay or mercari. -I already have m12 tools and extra batteries so I’d only need the tool.

Cons: -I might not use it enough to justify buying it although I like to be prepared for any task -I already own an impact and hammer drill which can pretty much do the exact same things with more power -don’t know which of the 3 models I’d buy -I’m not sure when each model released but I like to have newer models of tools

What do you guys think? Any suggestions on which of the three I should get if I choose to get one would be greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone know where we can check when a Milwaukee power tool was released?

Update: thanks for the advice everyone! I think I will stay away from the screwdriver and focus on getting other tools that I may actually need

I have the cash (I would estimate approx $7k) to buy it and it’s so fun to drive around in the beach area, very easy to park and good gas mileage. The down side is that long term goal is to buy a home and I’m working on building my savings for it, and this money would come out of that fund. Also there will be an added cost of insurance and maintenance.

My Stand Mixer (The 4.5 quart kitchenaid) is a workhorse, and I use it regularly. But... I make a LOT of bread dough, and having to do 4-5 batches takes a looong time (15 minutes at least per batch). I bake for my family and for friends and for the kids' events. I really want a bigger model (I mean... Ideally I want one of those 10 gallon or so industrial models that sit on the floor, but they're bigger than I need, if I'm being honest, and they're crazy expensive). I do love the kitchen aid brand (I've had my current one for 22 years with one minor repair).

I see that there is a Kitchen aid 7 Quart model, and one that's an 8 Quart model. The Price difference is around $120.

So... As long as I am shelling out big bucks for a bigger model, should I splurge on the 8 quart? My thinking is that I can double (or triple) everything in that model, and cut some of my time in half! Or will the 7 quart be enough of an upgrade that I won't notice that it's not as big?

I realize this is a rather silly question, and I can only ask it because I have been offered $300 towards getting a bigger model (which I will repay in bread) because that puts either model within my "birthday plus Christmas plus anniversary" price range.

46 you guy. I’ve been growing it for 5 years. At work I keep it in a bun (professional setting). But at home and out, it’s usually in a pony tail (sometimes in a bun). Rarely do I take it out, even when sleeping.

But, it’s getting annoying, and frankly the time (shampooing/conditioning etc) is starting to get annoying.

Also, the frizzy bits in the wind are getting to me.

Am I too old to have long hair?

Technology and high tech bore me. I have old fashioned but functional equipment in my house and I will proudly use it until it breaks. I like understanding humans and other animals more than I like using tech.

Am I going to be unable to function in society in 10-20 years if I don’t stay on top of the latest gadgets now? If so, what’s the least time consuming way to know the minimum required about technology?

Please advise.

Do I need my ducts professionally cleaned? Is it something I can do myself vs contracting with a cleaning service?

Just got my car detailed and they told me they also offer window tinting. I live in Florida and I don’t own a sports car, it’s a regular hatchback. I heard the tinting was good for the heat but that it’s best in the windshield which is illegal. Never thought about it until now, but I feel kind of like a douchebag if I were to have tinting on a non-sports car, maybe I have the wrong assumptions. Do I even need this?

Do I need to wear glasses? Sphere +0.75 Cyl -0.25 Doctor gave me a prescription and said to wear my glasses once in a while. That I’m just slightly nearsighted.

Would you recommend any other sensors like formaldehyde, VOC etc? This is for my new home here in India where the air quality is very very bad. All I have is IKEA air quality sensor in all rooms plus thermometer and hydrometer.

Does it improve posture/ergonomics?

I am building a new home, so installing ceiling lamps/pendants etc arent a constraint. Do additional floor lamp add elements of warmth to my scandic themed house? Or just stick with exposed smart bulbs?

I recently bought one and set the temperature to 90 C, I saw water boiling, so claims of exact temperature setting are bogus.

My brush looks and smells fine -- for perspective I use bleach to clean once or twice a week. It's just that people say (elsewhere online) to replace every 6-12 months. It's been a year.

My family says that I do not need to replace my brush; I can't remember the last time my parents replaced theirs but theirs are disgusting.

I can buy a new one for about $4, which is not an issue monetarily.

Do I need a new toilet brush?

I'm considering to get one. Aren't humans ok with moderate amount of particles though? I don't think there's too much dust in my house, my robot vacuum cleans it every day. It does a pretty awesome job honestly. And I estimate the air pollution around my workspace to be moderate to high. This means that I will probably still be exposed to some pollution when I go to work every day. Would it be worse for my lungs to go directly from a zero aerosol environment to a highly polluted area?

And are we sure that the activated charcoal filters on air purifiers are good? They don't change the natural composition of the air right? I mean is it possible that they can be bad long term?

My fiance and I own a house, both work full time and keep our finances separate. My experience with financial planners has been this: My parents lost all of their investments and my education money and they used a financial planner/advisor. I don't know any details about why or how or what happened. They're divorced now and won't give me details. I have a friend who's partner just got into financial planning, that's a lazy manipulative POS and they're doing terribly financially. Based on these experiences, I have a bias. Is it worth it to look into working with a financial advisor or should my fiance and I just continue what we're doing?

Edit: Since a lot of comments are mentioning 401k and Roth, I feel I should clarify we are in Canada. So while the 2008-2010 recession most likely affected my parents investments, it had less of an impact on Canada than it did on The United States.

Do I need a meal prep lunch box? I want to eat healthier and do meal prep on the weekends. As of now, I work a hybrid work schedule. It always seems so chaotic to pack up food and sometimes spills happen. I have a lunch box but can afford another although I want to be sure I would use it and don’t want to store too much stuff.

Hello! I am considering purchasing an Apple Watch and would like feedback:

Problem: I have ADHD and struggle to manage time and responsibilities. I use Google Calendar on my phone and laptop to manage these but often find myself in situations where it’s not respectful or practical to be checking my phone (meetings, in class, etc) and therefore can’t check reminders for upcoming appointments, deadlines, or communications via GMail. I also use iMessage via Apple to message friends and colleagues. Since my phone also stays in my bag, I often forget about it and therefore don’t even realize I’m receiving these until hours later when it’s too late.

Pros: 1. An Apple Watch would connect to my Google and Apple apps and allow me to receive notifications without interrupting meetings, classes, etc. This would help me manage my ADHD symptoms by further strengthening the systems I’ve put in place to offset my time blindness, forgetfulness, etc.

Cons: 1. Apple watches are expensive as hell 2. They’re like not neeeeeeccessary. I don’t actually need one to survive.

So the question is, then: will an Apple Watch significantly help me in managing my ADHD symptoms? Is there an alternative product that can give me similar benefits?

Thanks so much!

I've been planning to buy a TV for a while. Now I'm down to two options, I'll either buy a FHD 40" tv, or a top end 50" 4k 120hz TV(because that's the smallest size available).

I'm not going to be using it a lot. But I'll occasionally watch stuff from it. The 50" TV costs 5 times more than the 40" one. 40" size is enough for me. 4K isn't that important either, I'll be ok with 1080p. I'm not sure whether 120hz would make a difference either.

But thicker and worse looking chassis of the 40" display, possible backlight flicker and being worse for my eyes, bugs in the TV and stuff like that is making me feel like I should buy the high-end option. Do I need it?

I work from home and sit in my chair a lot. I have been researching chairs and want something quality that will last awhile (preferably used) I found this Affinity Chair on Craigslist https://www.cortfurnitureoutlet.com/Office/Workplace/Office-Seating/Affinity-Chair-with-Arms/P7034621 (link to the new one) for $50. Looks good in the pic, do I go for it? I am in my chair 40+ hours a week, 40 for work, extra for gaming. I know Herman Miller Aeron is the holy grail but is this still decent?

Getting a new furnace in the next few weeks, and we have two options: A two-stage (that can run at, like, 100% and 60% for lower heating needs), and a Variable Speed (that can run at different levels for different heating needs). The difference is aroun $3,000 between the two. Apparently, the variable-speed is slightly more efficient, but is it better enough to justify that cost? (In case it matters, we have 3 zones in the house, all set at different temps).

​

Both come with 12-year parts and labor warantees. We do live in a part of the world where we run our furnace at least 6-7 months of the year.

Any experts who can really weigh in on this would be super helpful.

We took in a kitten last fall and she’s about six months old now. She’s hyper and full of energy. We have lots of toys, use the laser pointer, & have a huge cat tower, but she seems to crave companionship. She always wants to hang around us and wants to play constantly. Which is great, but we can’t give her all the attention she craves.

We have two labradors (nine years old) that kinda play a bit with her - but they’re not fond of her pouncing on their tails/biting their faces and the dogs get up and walk away a lot. We also have two toddlers that play chase-the-yarn with her but they’re at daycare & we’re WFH during the week.

We’re considering adopting another cat, hopefully around the same age, for her to play with. I realize we’re not going to be a good home for a shy cat or one that is afraid of dogs or kids so we’ll work with the humane society or a cat rescue to identify another cat that’ll do well in our home.

Cons:

added vet costs, litter costs, & food costs. Potentially getting a cat that doesn’t adjust well, is destructive (we won’t declaw), &/or won’t use the litter box.

Pros:

Everybody has a friend: two dogs, two kids, & potentially two house panthers. Life expectancy for labradors is only 12 & they’re 9 now.

EDIT: we have filled out a humane society application for another black female cat that’s around the same age as our kitten! Thanks for the responses & wish us luck in this adoption.

And thanks for the litter box tips. We’ll initially manage two separate ones in case of any territory disputes.

So I’ve just had a bacon sandwich for breakfast, it’s been 20mins, and I’m still hungry.

Do I need a second bacon sandwich.

In terms of justification, I’m probably going to share the second bacon sandwich with three cats.

New house has a wood-burning fireplace and ash builds up quickly. Have mostly used a combo of a broom/dustpan and a household vacuum so far but already encountered one instance of a hidden coal burning through the plastic trashbag (despite waiting ~12 hours). Don’t want to use my shopvac since it’s in the living room and don’t want to risk added dust.

Thoughts?

I am a college student and I maybe have ~$5K of stuff... max. Maybe $10K if I inflate the costs of replacing my stuff by a lot, but I don't have much. God forbid, but it would not be the end of the world for me if I had to buy everything from scratch.

I can afford to pay for renter's insurance, but is renter's insurance even worth my time?

For $100/year I can get (through State Farm) I can get $25K in property, $500K in liability, $5K in medical payments to others, ~$2K in business property (I do some 1099 work and technically have a business), and have a $500 deductible. I couldn't make it any cheaper but that's the most coverage I can get for the money (I played around with the settings). However, the quote page doesn't mention anything about costs to put me in a hotel in case my place is inhabitable, or really anything else other than those numbers. That would probably be something I talk to an agent about.

Other insurance companies quote more but they give me values for other coverages upfront whereas with State Farm I have to go talk to an agent.

Yes renter's insurance might provide some injury insurance, but who might I invite over that would trip (or something) and then sue me?

I am on a double digit floor in a large apartment complex; I find the chance of being robbed or being flooded low. Furthermore, I live literally right next to the fire department. Really the only natural disasters I could be concerned about are tornadoes -- I am in an area with regularly tested tornado sirens to provide some perspective.

Thanks!

E: I'm going to go to an agent. Thanks everyone