LPT: When trying to reconnect with old friends, make it about their interests, not just nostalgia. If you’re reaching out to an old friend after years of no contact, avoid focusing too much on “remember when” moments. Instead, show genuine interest in their life now—ask about their hobbies, career, or any changes. This approach not only makes the reconnection smoother but also shows you care about them beyond the past. submitted by /u/…

LPT: If you’re facing an unexpected expense, consider negotiating payment terms with the provider. If you find yourself facing an unexpected expense, don’t be afraid to ask for a payment plan or extended terms. Whether it’s a medical bill, a repair, or even an invoice, many providers are willing to work with you if you simply ask. This can help reduce the immediate financial burden without accumulating interest or penalties. submitted by …

LPT: How do I stop comparing myself to others all the time? I catch myself comparing way too much, and it’s exhausting. I’m trying to focus more on my own progress and celebrate even the small wins. submitted by /u/MindsetCheetah

LPT – Use a virtual payment card for free trials and bookingS Get a virtual bank account like revolut or a visa gift card and keep the balance at 0. Use it for free trials so you never have to remember to cancel. Also useful when restaurants or any bookable service needs your card details to have you on hook for a cancellation fee. submitted by /u/Agile-Star-6559

LPT: Ask your health care provider this question when discussing an outstanding balance, “is there any way you can lower it?” I was stunned when the person, from my doctors office (not my insurance), said they were going to discount all 2024 balances automatically 25% at the end of the month. I have the money to pay it now, but I’ll take any discount I can get. If I hadn’t asked the question, they would not have offered the information. It doesn’t hurt to ask. subm…

LPT: Predators will seek out women who say SORRY to them and are apologetic to them. Do not ever say sorry to a stranger on the street. They will purposefully run into you to test you. submitted by /u/macetfromage

LPT keep a carabiner clipped onto your belt. A simple carabiner usually costs a dollar or less but can make your everyday belt/pants into a more funtional utility belt. A lot of your tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), etc can be equiped with keyrings, rope loops, carabiners, or quick links. Being able to quickly clip something to your belt can be very conienient. I usually have a …

LPT: Don’t add to water, add water instead Save a spoon and some stirring. Add liquid to your liquid add-ins instead of the other way around and it will mix itself. Mio, coffee creamer, etc. Helps get powder add-ins going too. submitted by /u/Sherman80526

LPT: Have a leak in the house & not sure where it is coming from? E.g. could be a gutter – Add food coloring to a suspected source & see what color the leak is Recently had a problem with a leak in our bathroom window. We have a semi-detached old council house property in the UK – so 1 neighbour’s house is attached to the side of hours, part of the guttering is connected. We have old concrete gutters (plastic shortage apparently after ww11 so old gutters are concrete) my neighbour and his (aggressive) …

LPT: When cooking, you can weigh ingredients by how much you remove from a jar/container. Put the container on the scales and the amount removed will show as a negative value. submitted by /u/phase-3-

LPT: If you’re trying to get better about budgeting, use the envelope method (aka, cash) My partner and I get paid once a month. I pay all our bills and whatever’s left goes to the rest of the weekly costs to live. But when we needed to start saving for some costly projects, I started putting all our weekly expenses in envelopes for the month. Groceries, gas discretionary spending (coffee here or there), take out, babysitter, etc. T…

LPT: Add a “miscellaneous” line to your budget for unexpected small expenses. Unexpected costs (like last-minute gifts or small repairs) often throw off budgets. A 5-10% “miscellaneous” line prevents you from dipping into savings for these small surprises. submitted by /u/SophiaCole29

LPT: Double-check local ride-hailing laws before traveling internationally. Some countries have restrictions on apps like Uber or Lyft, and in certain areas, these services may be outright illegal. Look up the local rules beforehand, and always have an alternative (like taxi numbers or public transport routes) ready in case your app isn’t operational at your destination. submitted by /u/AutumnBryant32

LPT: Insurance copay resets on new year for most plan. Rerun at your own risk. I work pharmacy and upon new years, many scripts are still billed in late December. If you ask the pharmacy to rerun, your copay will most likely reset. I’ve seen too many, and pharmacy can’t undo the rebill process so do it at your own risk. submitted by /u/bwakong

LPT: Whenever you start a free trial for something you are unsure of immediately also cancel it. Most free trials automatically renew into paid subscriptions, and it’s easy to forget the cancellation deadline. However, many services let you cancel the trial immediately while still allowing you to enjoy the full trial period. This way, you won’t accidentally get charged, and you’ll still have time to decide if the service is worth paying for…

LPT: After getting a haircut you like, let someone take pictures of you on your phone and save them in a separate folder to quickly find them the next time. Either take selfies, or better, let someone take some pictures on your phone. Instead of losing them in your photos library, create a new folder within your photos app to quickly find them the next time you go to a new hair dresser or e.g. visit a hair dresser with language barriers. submitted by /u/maldiver

LPT: Use a low light headlamp to read in bed at night We all have that bedside lamp that gives us annoying shadows when trying to read at night, and we inevitably need to maneuver our books into the light. I started using a 1 lumen red light headlamp to read at night and it’s a godsend. Super lightweight and light is always shining on the book no matter what position you’re reading in. Bonus if I’…

LPT: If your new years resolution is to read more, or go back to school; check out Libby, Librovox, and Hoopla. 10-7 books or audiobooks for free per library card. submitted by /u/Rainbowcombatboots2

LPT: cling/saran wrap under the twist cap keeps the liquids from spilling out of your bottles into your suitcase. submitted by /u/just-a-simple-song

LPT: A good hobby is cheaper, and maybe more effective, than a bad therapist **seek help if you need it. Therapy can save your life! BUT… Many people get WAY more out of the socialization and motivation/satisfaction from my hobbies than I do from my therapy sessions. And, it’s cheaper! submitted by /u/Graphic_Materialz