Stop buying cheap extension cords for outdoor holiday lights, learned that after my $12 string melted on Christmas Eve

I had a string of those green dollar store cords catch fire at the plug last year in Portland, so now I only use 14-gauge cords from the hardware store rated for at least 13 amps, has anyone else had a close call with cheap cords during the holidays?

Hit 200,000 miles on my old Cummins and it flipped my thinking on rebuilds

My grocery bill dropped under $300 a month and I didn't even feel like I was trying

I was just looking at my bank stuff from the last three months and saw the number. I used to spend close to $500 a month on food for just me, easy. The change came from a couple small things I started doing without thinking it was a big deal. I stopped buying pre-cut veggies and just get whole ones now, which saves a ton. I also started planning meals around what's on sale at my local Kroger that week. The biggest thing was I stopped buying snacks at the gas station on my way home from work. It adds up so fast. I guess all those little choices just stacked up without me noticing. I'm kind of shocked it made that much of a difference. Has anyone else had a small change that ended up saving way more than you thought it would?

Question about using a heat gun on stubborn vinyl plank seams

Honestly, I was ready to scrap a whole box of rigid core planks in a Phoenix kitchen because the ends wouldn't lock. Tried a hair dryer for 30 seconds on the groove side and it clicked right in, has anyone else had to get creative with heat on a tricky install?

My neighbor's soup pot changed how I shop for veggies

I was chatting with my neighbor, Mrs. Chen, while she was making a huge pot of soup. She pointed at the carrots and celery and said, 'I got all this for under $3 at the Asian market on 8th Street, the one with the bins outside.' It hit me that I always buy pre-bagged stuff at my regular store for way more. Now I go there first for any soup or stew base. Does anyone else have a specific store for cheap produce?

I tried two different ways to ask for a raise and one worked way better

First, I just asked my boss in a meeting if I could get more money, and he said he'd look into it. Nothing happened. A month later, I made a simple one-page document showing the three big projects I finished, how they helped the company, and the average salary for my role in Phoenix. I brought that to our next talk. He approved the raise the same week. Has anyone else found that showing your work with some numbers makes a real difference?

Update: I switched from a big crock to a set of quart jars for my kraut

I used to do all my sauerkraut in a single five-gallon crock, thinking it was the 'pro' way. Last batch, I split the same cabbage between the crock and four separate quart jars with simple glass weights. The jars were ready in about two weeks, tasted more consistent, and I didn't lose half of it to a weird film like I sometimes did in the crock. Has anyone else found smaller batches easier to manage?

Question about fixing a leaky shower valve after a hotel stay

Staying at a place in Sedona last month, the shower handle was so loose it spun freely. I watched the maintenance guy fix it in about two minutes with just a hex key on the set screw behind the handle cap. I've fixed three wobbly handles at home the same way since. Anyone know what to do if the screw is totally stripped out?

I tried a local flower farm versus a big wholesaler for a month

For a wedding in May, I bought half the roses from a farm near Salem and half from the usual big supplier. The local blooms lasted five days longer in the vase, no joke. But they cost about 20% more and the colors weren't as uniform. Which side do you pick for your shop, better quality or better price and choice?

Spent a whole weekend trying to fix a broken hollandaise

I was making brunch for a group and my hollandaise split on the first try. I thought I could fix it fast, but it took me three hours over two days to get it right. The issue was my butter was too hot when I added it to the yolks. I had to start over twice, letting everything cool completely each time. Has anyone found a good way to save a broken sauce without starting from scratch?