this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2023
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For me it was "buy high quality pillow" because you sleep for one thrid of a day etc. I needed a new pillow anyway so I came to the store and bought the best they had. And it was ... ok. Like it's a fine pillow but my sleeping haven't improved really, it's basically the same. So I was disapointed :(

So, which life pro tip disappointed you?

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[–] [email protected] 136 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I think when people say to but high quality items, they mean to spend what they’re worth. Getting the most expensive thing doesn’t really guarantee a quality item, but cheaping out makes it much more likely that you’ll end up with something lackluster. Plus, something like sleep can be fairly complicated and is connected to your habits, what you’ve eaten, or schedule, etc., so expecting a single change (pillow) to make a huge difference may not be realistic.

[–] [email protected] 46 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You're usually fine using a cheap item. If you use it enough to break it, then you need a quality item.

[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Ah the old Harbor Freight rule

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago

Obligatory I’ve been using the same $20 impact socket set professionally for 20 years and its fine

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

You also get diminishing returns.

If you spend £400 on a bike instead of £200, it might actually be nearly twice as good, but spending £2000 doesn't mean it will be ten times as good, when you're in to bikes that cost £10k+ you're talking about fractions of a percent better than the one that costs many percent less.

The top of the range items are good for enthusiasts, but almost always not worth it for casual consumers.

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[–] [email protected] 86 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"Happy Wife, Happy Life"

Some women will never be happy with you because you weren't her first pick, just what she settled for.

You can't make someone happy, who is unwilling to try making themselves happy. Relationships have to be equal partnerships.

Life is so much better living alone with my dog the last 10 years.

[–] [email protected] 52 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don’t think anyone below the age of 50 has seriously believed in “happy wife, happy life”. It’s very much a boomer mentality of “pick someone you don’t love and suffer through the relationship forever”

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I did for a bit but the years went by and sure she's happy, but am I?

It's been 5 years and we're still together.

I think we both know it's time.

It's rough, man. Kids.

My dreams are screaming at me.

Am I supposed to 'follow my dreams'? Is it literal?

I'm not sure what I want anymore, whether I'd be happier single. My subconscious yawps but I ignore it.

Last night I was cheating with 3 of my ex's, at once, in my sleep. She said I was sleep screaming again, but I only remember the spice I felt for life. It's been so long.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Yikes dude. You need some counselling.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

That's my pro tip that is disappointing lmao

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[–] [email protected] 68 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (31 children)

"Never buy a new car" - the argument being they depreciate quickly, and newer used models are "just as good".
Nope, got burned twice in a row and wasted more money than if I'd bought a new one immediately.

[–] [email protected] 55 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Every car I've owned has been used. Some are better than others. In general, I've had really good luck and have bought some great cars, but some have been money pits. You get better at spotting a good buy, but it's still possible to get a bad one, it does come down do luck.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Just buy a Honda or Toyota, and all you have to do is change the oil.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (5 children)

And brake pads please change your brake pads occasionally

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That's why I take it to the next step and never buy a car altogether. Miss me woth that shit I'll just live in a cool city, and either bike or walk wherever I want.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Yeah, my girlfriend recently needed a new car since her ancient Ford Fiesta finally kicked the bucket. She decided to limit her budget solidly to shitbox territory because she'd just had some major expenses and didn't want to owe someone money.

I offered to lend her some money to help her get better offers. She refused – and ended up buying a car that immediately needed a transmission rebuild that cost as much as the car itself. For which I lent her some of the money.

By Grabthar's hammer, what a savings!

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[–] [email protected] 62 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Just to respond to your need for better sleep... For me, good sleep is far more about temperature, darkness, and a nice weight. So I use a weighted blanket, eye covers, and the expensive but awesome chilipad so I don't try to sleep in a pool of sweat.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Same for me, minus the weight. I hate weight on me when I'm sleeping. Makes me feel trapped and claustrophobic. I use the thinnest blanket the temperature will allow, and I always have fans (and if possible an AC) going. Anything above 63f/17c and I sweat like a pig. :(

Does the chillpad work? I've heard mixed reviews.

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[–] [email protected] 56 points 1 year ago (2 children)

ITT: people telling OP what kind of pillow to buy lol

I'm too old for most recent LPT to take hold, but in my youth I heard "simplify" your lifestyle. I didn't understand the message was directed at those with more than they needed, not people like me, living near or in poverty. There's no need for many things, provided you have what you need and it serves you well. I know this now, but then…

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

people like me, living near or in poverty

Hope things improve for you, mate.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

Yeah life's better now, appreciate it tho. Not rich by any means, but not desperate or worried about how to pay bills week to week (some months are tight, but we've got savings now)

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[–] [email protected] 48 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Too many people insist they know what’s best for you simply because it worked for them.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Especially frustrating if you are a healthcare professional. It is astonishing how many people give out bad medical advice here,on Reddit, Facebook,etc. with the notion of "well it worked for me".

Often it didn't even work.

I mean, yes, I know, it is a way for people to recover control after they "lost it" to their body. But at least don't brag about it on the internet and even more don't start a fight with someone who clearly has more knowledge due to professional training and years of experience.

I've seen people fight the world leading specialist team on Reddit before.....

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Maybe don’t encapsulate your options to a single store or even an irl store. A good pillow is a game changer, just because Walmart or whatever had shit selection doesn’t mean a quality pillow isn’t worth it

[–] Still 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

you absolutely need a pillow that fits your sleeping style

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[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Just buying an expensive pillow won't necessarily improve your sleep. You need to try out various pillows and find the type that works best for your body and how you sleep.

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've never had a mind-blowingly amazing pillow, but I have had some really bad ones.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

this right here.

if it's doing it's job right you won't even notice.

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I am a larger man with broad shoulders. I have trained myself to only sleep on my side due to breathing issues arising from my oversized uvula and the tendency for my tongue to join it at the back of my throat when on my back. Even when I’m awake, breathing on my back - much less speaking - is difficult due to my uvula in particular, as I can’t consciously control how it drapes back against my throat.

So I built my own pillow, so that my head doesn’t hang from my shoulders like an afterthought -- no normal pillow is tall enough to support my head while I am on my side. It looks kinda like a particularly narrow and deep parking curb, vaguely saddle shaped, only it’s not made out of concrete. It’s literally a tiny showroom-demo mattress on top of a very stable wooden base, with an actual pillow secured on top of it and everything wrapped up in a custom pillow case.

Looks strange AF, but it keeps my spine straight and the crinks out of my neck.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm inordinately interested in your solution here. For all of our sakes, make a post about it.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

I need to see a photo or shitty MS paint drawing STAT.

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I bought the best bamboo pillow I could find and haven't looked back. All the pillow problems I ever had just disappeared. I hate going anywhere without it.

Quitting drinking was a bummer. But mainly because most of the people I'm drawn to are sociopathic alcoholics. I don't know if I hate the game or the player anymore :(

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

nice job quitting bro 😎

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I like how this turned into a pillow post.

Pillow fight?

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Writing notes for myself to remind me to do something. The problem is that I don't remember to look at the notes. What's happening is that people are telling me advice that worked for them. That's very nice of them to try, but when I've tried similar systems for decades and they always fail, it's time to try something new.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

Making lists is an organizational tool not a motivational one.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I had just sold a car and was flush with cash so before going to buy my new one I bought every single pillow I could find in every home goods store near me and several from online. I then spent the next month studiously comparing pillows to find the right one for me.

The final two came down to a $15 pillow and a $190 pillow.

After deciding all the other pillows got returned and then went and got my new car.

In things as subjective as a pillow high quality is rather Nebulous.

For something like a woodworking tool high quality often matters far more.

The worst life pro tip I've ever received? Listen to the experts, they have made it their job to know the best things and you can't go wrong with what they say.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I don't think I've ever seen a good recommend in those "What sub-$100 purchase changed your life?" threads. No, I don't need a garlic smasher or a water pick.

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My wife and I have taken to naming our pillows. There's Flat Agnes, Lumpy Rutherford and The Rock, off the top of my head. I would have to consult my wife for the others.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Sort of related, but which pillow is best because I've been burned before like OP.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Pillows are pretty personal, you need to find what works for you. What really levelled up my pillow game, was a silk pillow case.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I listened to this advice and splurged on a $60 or $80 "customizable" (it comes with 3 different layers, you combine them how you want) pillow and holy shit, I went from a 2-3 stack pillow 'wake up multiple times each night and re-tuck' to a 1-pillow man that doesn't need to touch my pillow until it's moved for some reason.

I won't even name the pillow because of the nature of the thread but man. New pillow life is pretty great. Sorry that you guys got burned on your shitty pillows. For what it's worth I also tried like 5 of the most expensive (not customizable, but all had something 'special' that made it better') pillows at the mattress store and they pretty much universally sucked.

Mines exactly how stiff I want it, stays cool in warm weather, doesn't stink of memory foam (I think it did at first, instructions were to air it out), and never goes soft.

If only I could buy customizable body parts 😔

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Honestly I can't remember an LPT I got use out of. I think the format tends to draw inane platitudes rather than actually good life advice.

Almost every "life pro tip" I've seen has been either ridiculously common knowledge (LPT: wipe your butt after pooping!) or weirdly specific recommendations (LPT: most frozen ravioli or tortellini can be cooked in a bowl of water in the microwave (this one is literally on the front page of the subreddit right now!)) or just straight up ads.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Really, pillows? That's all we got

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If your sleep issues are stress-related, like mine, no pillow will do any good. The only solution is to cut the source of stress...

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (6 children)

because you sleep for one third of a day

Today I learned: Day is 12 hours long

Edit: Come on, it's a joke. I have to wake up at 3AM. Best I can do is stare at ceiling until around 11PM.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (6 children)

I went to a furniture store with a friend to pass the time before she had to pick up her boyfriend up from work, and we were looking at the mattresses since she was thinking about buying a new one. The Purple mattresses were consistently disgusting feeling. They were made out of gel material and felt like those stress balls you get out of a gumball machine. I decided to test what it's like falling into the bed and as soon as my arms touched the mattress I knew it was a mistake. It felt like nails on a chalkboard. I would never be able to sleep in one of those beds unless I was wearing long sleeves, and maybe not even then. If I had a girlfriend who had one of those beds, I'd rather fuck her on the floor or just have her come to my place exclusively. They were also selling pillows from the same company, and they were heavy and the texture was even more noticeable.

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