Do we want a Making Life Easier thread?

[flatcap]

My Klhip clipper works fine for me on my toenails, but they aren't very thick. The jaw opening is probably too small for thicker toenails, which I have heard can sometimes come with aging.

The curvature of the blades is also pretty sharp, so it takes some finessing to get them to work on the wide front toe (it takes more than one cut), but that comes with just a little practice. I also needed a bit of practice to master the reverse geometry of the Klhip clipper, but that wasn't difficult at all. Once you get used to it, operating the Klhip is easier than it is with the standard type of clipper.

Regarding nail files, I have one made of frosted (bead-blasted) glass. I worked around a lot of bead-blasted glass slides in the lab, but I never thought to try using one as a nail file. One thing I find about the glass file is that its use results in nails with very smooth edges. That is at least half the battle when filing your nails.

[Virginia]

Did you get your glass nail filer at Amazon flatcap? I am always looking for good nail filers that keep my nails from splitting.

It is too bad that you didn't get to buy a house. I own my town home and because of it I don't worry "quite" as much about going into an independent living apartment. They are extremely expensive and I would have a hard time getting a decent one if not for the fact that I could sell my house and use what I have to live on now plus what I would get for my house. I would have been paying rent and that is very expensive in this area. Owning a home does cost. There is taxes, insurance and in my case HOA fees and all the upkeep. Still, if I should need it I will have it to sell. If something happens to me I will be able to leave it to my brothers and that makes me feel good. If I had rented the money would be gone.

[flatcap]

You're right, Virginia: I should have bought a house.

I was impulsive when it came to spending money and didn't care where it went. Big mistake. I have no real savings to speak of; I own next to nothing and have even less to sell; and there is nothing else coming other than the modest pension I will begin collecting next year. That, of course, will be a fixed amount.

Actually, there might be one other thing in the offing, but it's hard telling where that will go and when. My truly evil, so-called stepfather still resides in the house my family lived in, which in turn was left to my brothers and myself in my mother's will (it was in her name). 'John' — not his real name — gets to stay in the house until he expires, which might or might not be soon.

I don't care when that is as long as I outlive him. The money that might come from my brothers and I selling the house has nothing to do with it. What he did he never acknowledged, much less apologized for. Frankly, it wouldn't matter to me if he did try to make amends. His acts were unforgivable.

I should have bought a house.


ETA 1: Yes, I bought the glass file at Amazon. The brand name is Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... (link to Amazon store).

ETA 2: GERmanikure home page => Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... (there, you can read about the files and/or buy them if you want).

ETA 3: I'd say just go ahead and take the plunge, Virginia. If you do, please do let us know if the file(s) work for you. TIA

[flatcap]

I should add one thing — at least one thing lol — regarding GERmanikure, and that is I once tried their fingernail and toenail clippers but didn't like them at all. The jaw opening on both was much too narrow to accommodate my fingernails, much less my toenails. (I think they might be aimed at women and children rather than men.) Consequently, these are beautiful tools, but I have no idea what to do with them.

[agate]

There's a nail file that helps to keep nails from splitting? I had no idea. The glass file is a bit pricey but also looks as if it's much longer lasting than the standard emery-board type of nail file.

[flatcap]

I think Virginia meant keeping her nails neatly trimmed and filed helps eliminate splitting, but you can ask her when she gets back.

Meantime, there is no comparison between an emery board and a GERmanikure glass file. An emery board begins falling apart the moment you start using it (the abrasive material glued to the board starts flaking off). The chemically treated surface of a GERmanikure glass file is much more durable, virtually immune in fact to damage from fingernails and toenails because the glass is so much harder.


Fun Fact: Glass is harder than steel.

[Virginia]

Thanks flatcap, I am going to try the ones for $18.99 when I reorder. I was speaking of keeping my short nails neat without chipping and breaking, so you were right.

Don't worry about not buying a house. Many, many people rent and are quite satisfied doing so. My husband and I owned a house and many years ago after he passed away I sold that house and bought the town house I am in now. So I was blessed with having someone who looked out for me. I did work and help, but I could not have done it without him. As long as you can afford your apartment and are comfortable in it then that is what counts. Just my opinion.

[jingle]

My opinion --- don't buy a house. Live in the best rental place you can afford. I bought a town house 15 years ago and it gets more expensive - scary expensive - every month.

[Virginia]

Jingle, do you mean the upkeep on your town house? The taxes and insurance go up when mine is revalued about every 5 to 7 or 8 years, but the value of the house also goes up. My HOA fees go up and I always dread that, but we have a lot of common areas including a small area in the center of the community that has a gazebo. There are also two tennis courts and a swimming pool. I have 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Two of the bedrooms and two baths are on the main level. To equal this in a rented place I would have to pay at least $2,500 to $2,800 per month maybe a little more. Then when I moved I would leave with nothing.

I do dread the special assessments when they come up, because they can be a large chunk of money. However, if the places are well maintained I will get more when either I or my brothers sell.

There is nothing wrong with renting, but you have to hope the rent doesn't go so high that you will have to move. Flatcap has stated he doesn't qualify for HUD housing which would probably be a good deal if you can find a place you like and live with their restrictions.

[flatcap]

I have always rented, and there is no doubt at this point whether I will continue doing so: I have no choice.

[agate]

Flatcap has stated he doesn't qualify for HUD housing which would probably be a good deal if you can find a place you like and live with their restrictions.

--And with the probably very long waiting list. I was on a wait list for about 6 HUD buildings in this town for over a year. Each month I had to call each one of them to maintain my place on the wait list. I've heard of people waiting several years and so I must have been lucky. But it was well worth the wait. The market rent on these apartments in the building I'm in would be about 7 times what I pay.

[flatcap]

Speaking of tools, does anyone else but me sometimes see them as industrial artwork?

I mentioned above that I think GERmanikure nail clippers are beautiful. Some might see this as strange, but the engineer in me is always looking out for these things. A lot of everyday, ordinary stuff falls in the same category.

So, that's what I'm thinking about at 2:38 AM today.

How's that for bored? lol

[flatcap]

<snip> ~~~ Accidentally posted in the wrong place.

[agate]

Tools can be seen as industrial artwork. Particularly if they happen to work well.

And now for another Website people can check into. If you're concerned about customers' reviews of products you're thinking of buying, there's a way to check on them. I haven't used it much yet but so far it looks like a good idea and is a fast download (using Chrome). It's called Fakespot.

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[flatcap]

I was going to say never add any extension to Chrome that isn't at the Chrome Webstore, but Fakespot is there, too:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

I probably won't use it with Chrome, but at least this means it is "safe."