All Threads
-  1.  Should I pay extra on my student loans or save for a down payment?I have federal student loans at about 5% interest. I also want to buy a home in two years and need money for a down payment. I can put an extra $400 each month toward goals after bills. My emergency fund is only two months of expenses. My job is steady, but not guaranteed. How should I split the extra money between loans, savings for a house, and a bigger emergency fund?Posted 1 month ago by Sora Nakamura
-  2.  Why is my coffee maker leaking water everywhere?I've had this coffee maker for about a month now and it started leaking water from the bottom during brewing. It's frustrating because I rely on it every morning for my daily cup, and now there's water all over the counter. I bought it on Amazon, and it's supposed to be a reliable model, but maybe I got a defective one. My kitchen space is small, so I can't afford a bulky replacement, and I need something that fits under the cabinets. I've tried cleaning the reservoir and checking the seals, but that didn't help. I also tightened all the visible parts, yet the leak persists. Budget-wise, I'm hoping for a fix rather than buying a new one since I spent a decent amount already.Posted 1 month ago by Janet James
-  3.  Is this baby stroller easy to fold for travel?We just had our first baby. It's exciting but tricky. We travel a lot. The stroller we have is bulky. Hard to pack in the car. We tried a few times. It got stuck once. In the airport. Very stressful. We need something lighter. Easy to fold. For planes and cars. Amazon shows many options. But reviews are mixed. Some say they break easy. Our baby is 6 months old. We want safety first. Comfort too. Budget is around $200. Not too fancy. Just reliable. Any recommendations? We've returned one already. Didn't like it.Posted 1 month ago by Cora Richardson
-  4.  Hey folks any tips on picking acrylic paints for beginners in painting?New to this whole painting thing and I wanna start with acrylics but Amazon has so many options it's overwhelming. Anyone recommend good sets that aren't too pricey but still decent quality?Posted 1 month ago by Phoebe White
-  5.  Dropping a class mid-semester to save GPA?I'm in my second year and took 18 credits to stay on track, but one core class is going poorly. I have a partial scholarship that requires full-time status and a minimum GPA, and the drop deadline is next week. If I drop, I'll still be full-time, but it could push graduation by a semester and add tuition costs. The professor's office hours are limited, and tutoring is booked out for two weeks. I'm worried about a withdrawal notation and how it looks for future applications. What should I weigh to decide whether to drop or try to salvage the grade? I'm mid-way through a busy season and trying to be realistic about my energy. I'm in a small town, so options are limited and shipping can be slow. This has been on my mind for a while and I'd love some real-world experiences. If there are pitfalls you ran into, those would be super helpful to hear too. I've already tried a couple of the obvious things, but the results were mixed. I'm in a small town, so options are limited and shipping can be slow.Posted 1 month ago by Nicholas James
-  6.  Oh dear does anyone know if this moisturizer is good for dry skin in winter?My skin gets so flaky this time of year you know how it is at my age. Saw this on Amazon and wondering if it'll help without feeling greasy.Posted 1 month ago by Santino Fisher
-  7.  Anyone know how do I know if my car's battery is dying and what should I replace it with?My car is acting up. It won't start sometimes. The lights are dim too. This started last week. I drive an old sedan. It's from 2010. I tried jumping it once. That worked for a bit. But it happened again. I checked the cables. They look okay. No corrosion. I need a new battery I think. But which one? Amazon has lots. My budget is tight. Under $100 maybe. It has to fit my car. I live in a cold place. So it needs to handle winter. What do you guys suggest? I've never replaced one before.Posted 1 month ago by Zara Ahmed
-  8.  What is a realistic beginner workout plan for someone with a desk job?I sit most of the day and get winded on stairs. What simple weekly plan would help me build a habit without burning out?Posted 1 month ago by Jeffrey Moore
-  9.  What's the most effective way to remember names at events?I keep forgetting names right after introductions at meetups and it's embarrassing. What tricks actually work that I can start using today? I'm mid-way through a busy season and trying to be realistic about my energy. Friends gave me conflicting advice, so I'm looking for what worked for you personally. I'm in a small town, so options are limited and shipping can be slow. This has been on my mind for a while and I'd love some real-world experiences. If there are pitfalls you ran into, those would be super helpful to hear too. I'm in a small town, so options are limited and shipping can be slow.Posted 1 month ago by Poppy Ward
-  10.  Why is my blender making a weird grinding noise and how can I fix it?I've had this blender for about a year now and it was working perfectly until last week. I use it mostly for smoothies every morning, but suddenly it started making this awful grinding noise whenever I turn it on. It's like the blades are struggling or something! I checked if there was any food stuck in there, but it looks clean. First, I tried unplugging it and plugging it back in, but that didn't help. Then I disassembled the blade part and washed everything thoroughly, thinking maybe some residue was causing it. Nope, still grinding. I even tried blending just water to see if it was the ingredients, but the noise persists! I'm worried it might be a motor issue or something more serious. Has anyone else experienced this with their blenders? I don't want to buy a new one if it's fixable. Oh, and it's one of those high-speed models from Amazon. Any tips would be great!Posted 1 month ago by Gabriel Cruz
-  11.  How do I choose the right acrylic paint set for beginners?Hey everyone, I'm new to painting and want to start with acrylics but I'm overwhelmed by all the options on Amazon. I've always wanted to try art as a hobby, but never got around to it until now that I'm working from home more. My budget is around $20-30, and I honestly need something with a good variety of colors but not too advanced. I've looked at a few sets, but the reviews are mixed - some say the paints dry out fast. Tried reading some guides online, but they're confusing. What do you recommend?Posted 1 month ago by Heather Evans
-  12.  Study group or solo study for a tough class?I have a big biology exam in two weeks. Some friends want to make a study group. I learn well alone, but I get stuck on hard parts. My schedule is tight, so I can meet two evenings a week for one hour. Should I split time between group and solo study? What rules can keep the group on task and not into chit chat?Posted 1 month ago by Joan Baker
-  13.  Why does my hair dryer keep overheating after a few minutes?I've been using this hair dryer for months and lately it gets really hot and shuts off. It happens every time I dry my long hair, which takes about 10 minutes. I clean the vent regularly, but that doesn't seem to help.Posted 1 month ago by Helen Rodriguez
-  14.  My smartphone case is cracking already even though it's new. What's going on?I got this phone case last month because I drop my phone a lot. It's supposed to be tough but now it's cracking at the edges. My phone is an iPhone, and I use it every day for school and games. The case fits okay, but maybe it's not good quality. I've tried not dropping it, but accidents happen. My budget is small, like under $15. What should I do next?Posted 1 month ago by Timothy Murphy
-  15.  How do you all decide what to keep or toss when decluttering?My room feels crowded with stuff. I want to clean it, but I get stuck choosing what to keep. What simple rules help you decide fast? I have about an hour after school each day. I work full-time and squeeze this in around dinner and bedtime. Small wins are fine; I just want something that actually helps. I'm in a small town, so options are limited and shipping can be slow. This has been on my mind for a while and I'd love some real-world experiences. I've already tried a couple of the obvious things, but the results were mixed. I'm in a small town, so options are limited and shipping can be slow.Posted 1 month ago by Patrick Lewis
-  16.  These running shoes hurt my feet after a short jog; why is that?I bought these running shoes online because I wanted to start jogging every morning. They're supposed to be good for beginners but after just a mile, my feet ache so bad, especially in the arches. I picked a size 8, which is my usual, but maybe they're too narrow? I have flat feet, that could be it. The material feels stiff, and there's not much cushion. I've tried wearing thicker socks, but it doesn't help much. Jogging on pavement might be making it worse. My goal is to run a 5K eventually, so I need comfortable shoes. The color is nice, black and blue, but comfort is key. Any ideas on why this is happening or how to fix it?Posted 1 month ago by Dylan Diaz
-  17.  Is it normal to feel lightheaded after starting a new cardio routine?I started jogging this week and felt a bit dizzy after 20 minutes. Should I slow down or is this a sign to see a doctor? (I'm pretty new to this and don't want to overcomplicate it. Friends gave me conflicting advice, so I'm looking for what worked for you personally. I learn best from step-by-step examples or what you'd repeat if you started over. I'm mid-way through a busy season and trying to be realistic about my energy. I've already tried a couple of the obvious things, but the results were mixed. Time-wise I can commit a few hours a week, not a full overhaul. For context, I live with a roommate and we share most things. I'm mid-way through a busy season and trying to be realistic about my energy. If there are pitfalls you ran into, those would be super helpful to hear too. If there are pitfalls you ran into, those would be super helpful to hear too. I learn best from step-by-step examples or what you'd repeat if you started over.)Posted 1 month ago by Isla Martin
-  18.  If I get a small windfall, is it smarter to kill a tiny debt or boost my emergency fund?I just won $600 in a work raffle, which is amazing because my cheese budget usually wins instead. I've got a $450 credit card balance at 18% APR and a small emergency fund that's stuck at $500. My monthly cash flow is tight for the next two months due to car insurance. I also need new work shoes soon. Would it be smarter to wipe the card now or pad the emergency fund so I don't end up swiping again? I'm aiming for a simple plan that future me can stick to even on sleepy Mondays.Posted 1 month ago by Diane Diaz
-  19.  Hey folks my tripod isn't staying steady during photoshoots; any fixes?Hey everyone on this photography forum, I'm having issues with my tripod. I bought it a couple months ago for my DSLR camera and it was great at first for outdoor shoots. But now, it wobbles a bit, especially on uneven ground. I've tightened all the screws, but it still doesn't hold steady. My budget was limited, so it's not a high-end one, but I need it for landscape photos. Tried using it indoors, and it's better, but outdoors is a problem. Maybe the legs are worn out? I've attempted adjusting the height and locking mechanisms repeatedly, no luck. Also, I live in a windy area, which might contribute. What have you all tried for similar problems? Any recommendations for fixes or upgrades?Posted 1 month ago by Charles Clark
-  20.  My car battery died unexpectedly; what could be causing it and how to prevent it?I have this old sedan that I drive to school every day. It's nothing fancy just gets me from point A to B. But last week, the battery just died on me right in the parking lot. I was so embarrassed because I had to ask a friend for a jump start. I've had the car for like three years, and this is the first time this happened. The lights work fine, and the radio too, but when I turn the key, nothing happens. It's scary thinking it could happen again. I tried checking if I left the headlights on, but I didn't. Maybe it's because I don't drive it much on weekends? The weather's been cold lately, that might be it. My dad said it could be the alternator or something, but I don't know. I need to figure this out before it strands me somewhere bad.Posted 1 month ago by River Lefevre