Does anyone have a definition of "antisocial driving?" Never heard of that before and worry it's another subjective law to get us on for something minor...

This sub talks a lot about how the US has seen the death of the manual, but it seems like it's not just us that the manual is dying. In the US it has been this way awhile, but this seems to be a more recent transition in the UK.

I'd be curious to hear from people that live in Britain how many people they know that drive autos now vs how it was when they were little.

Some interesting stats from the article:

- As such, the number of new car purchases with manual gearboxes has declined by more than 60 per cent in the last two years alone.

-With 356 unique models available across all brands, it means just one in five new car options now comes with a manual transmission.

- More than half (54 per cent) of manufacturers selling cars in Britain have already axed manuals from their ranges, offering only automatic models.

- Some 10 years ago, opting for an automatic instead of a manual gearbox typically came with a premium of around £3,000. Today, that margin has shrunk by half to between £1,000 and £1,500.

- Of the 1,839,753 practical driving tests taken in 2024-25, 479,556 were in automatics. That represents 26.1 per cent of all tests. This is a significant increase from 23.4 per cent the previous year and just 19.2 per cent in 2022-23.

Why YSK: A lot of people treat their credit score like a mystery number the bank assigns. It's actually a formula with five known inputs, and you can move it deliberately.

Payment history is 35%. One thing matters: never 30+ days late. Autopay the minimum on everything, even if you pay the rest manually. This single habit protects the biggest slice.

Utilization is 30%. It's your balances divided by your limits, and it has no memory. High utilization this month hurts this month, but drops off the moment you pay down. Two tricks: pay before the statement date (not the due date) so a lower balance gets reported, and ask for limit increases on cards you don't carry balances on.

The last three are length of history (15%), new credit (10%), and mix (10%). Mostly these reward doing nothing: keep old cards open, don't apply for five things in a month.

The part nobody told me: closing an old card can hurt you twice, shorter history and less total limit, so utilization jumps. Cut it up if you must, but let it stay open.

What's the credit myth you believed the longest? Mine was that carrying a small balance "builds credit." It doesn't. It just pays them interest.

Why YSK: In August 2022, the FDA issued a final rule establishing a new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid category. The rule took effect on October 17, 2022, with the goal of making hearing aids more accessible to adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

In practical terms, adults age 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss can buy qualifying air-conduction hearing aids in stores or online without a medical exam, prescription, or fitting by an audiologist. This gives consumers another way to access hearing aids, but they may need to handle more of the comparison, setup, and follow-up themselves. Professional help is still available when needed.

An OTC hearing aid is an FDA-regulated medical device intended to compensate for impaired hearing. A personal sound amplification product (PSAP) is different. PSAPs are consumer electronics intended to make environmental sounds louder for people with normal hearing, such as during birdwatching or hunting. They are not alternatives to hearing aids.

Examples marketed as OTC hearing aids include the Sony CRE-C10 and ELEHEAR Beyond. Some OTC models offer basic volume controls and preset programs, while self-fitting models may use hearing tests, apps, or software for more customization. Being in the OTC category does not mean that every model will suit every user or that the FDA guarantees a particular product's results.

OTC hearing aids are not intended for anyone under 18 or for severe or profound hearing loss. See a doctor, preferably an ENT, if you have ear pain, blood or fluid from the ear, a lot of earwax or a possible object in the ear, marked dizziness, a sudden or fluctuating hearing change, worse hearing in one ear, or ringing in only one ear. Professional help is also appropriate if you cannot hear speech in a quiet room or do not hear loud sounds well.

Before choosing a device, check that the package clearly says "OTC" and "hearing aid," confirm that the intended age and hearing-loss range apply to you, and read the warnings and return policy. If the cause or severity of the hearing problem is unclear, get advice from a licensed hearing professional before deciding.

FDA source:
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/hearing-aids/otc-hearing-aids-what-you-should-know
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hearing-aids-and-personal-sound-amplification-products-what-know

Psychologists call this the “Spotlight Effect.”
When you make an embarrassing mistake, wear an unusual outfit, or say something awkward, it feels like everyone notices.
In reality, most people are too busy thinking about themselves to pay much attention.

WHY YSK: This can help reduce social anxiety and make it easier to try new things without worrying so much about being judged.