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hitandrunjim:
This also applies at the Hancock building in Chicago.
Loopholes have always fascinated people because they let you get around the rules without technically breaking them. The whole point of a loophole is that it helps someone avoid the intended purpose of a rule while still complying with it. Clever, right?
But here’s the thing: using loopholes in everyday life can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure about the legal or ethical side of things. That said, loopholes aren’t the only clever shortcuts out there. Sometimes, the best “workarounds” come from everyday hacks that save you time, effort, and stress.
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Just like loopholes, cleaning tricks can make life so much easier. To learn a few smart hacks, we spoke with Violet Gor, a professional cleaner from Munich who has worked in both hospitality and private cleaning services.
Violet has seen it all when it comes to messes, and she swears by one simple rule: patience. “My biggest tip is to let the liquids sit for at least 10 minutes,” she explained. “Whether it’s on windows, tables, or tiles, the liquid cleaner needs a few minutes to work. Only then will the chemical really do its magic.”
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This is great for college students and anyone else who may need to catch up or has never done their taxes before. When I was able to do this, the IRS people were super friendly and worked tirelessly to get me everything they could think of. I also didn't see many other people there, so I guess they were glad to be doing something.
*edit: didn't expect this to be at the top, but I wanted to clarify something: You will sit down with an actual IRS agent who will look through your stuff and ask you questions to try to find everything you qualify for. There are free alternatives online and from local sources (my alma mater offered this from the business college), but IMO nothing beats having an actual IRS agent--the same guys who come to audit you--filing your taxes for you.*.
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Sonicmantis:
So is extra bacon. Source: I used to be a 5 guys guy.
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Every year the National Park Service gives away surplus elks in order to keep the herds under its jurisdiction from outgrowing the amount of available land for grazing. Write to: Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone, Wyoming 83020. You must be prepared to pay the freight charges for shipping the animal and guarantee that you can provide enough grazing land to keep the big fellow happy.
And when it comes to those annoying little corners and tight spaces that are impossible to reach? Violet says your toothbrush is your best friend. “Honestly, an old toothbrush works wonders.
It gets into the grooves, between tiles, and around edges where bigger brushes or cloths just can’t reach.” It’s a budget-friendly, no-fuss tool you probably already have at home, and it can save you so much frustration when trying to clean those stubborn nooks and crannies.
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Another one of Violet’s go-to hacks is using microfiber cloths or electrostatic dusters. According to her, they’re the real MVPs for capturing dust effectively. “The trick is to start dusting from the top of the room and work your way down,” she added. That way, you’re not just moving the dust around, you’re actually removing it. It’s a small change in how you clean, but it makes the whole process faster and more efficient.
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If your tax rate is 25%, then every dollar you put into the 401k is like getting an instantaneous 33% return.
Just make sure you have enough cash flow to live the life you normally like to live, save up a 6 month cash buffer, and then save the excess cash flow in your 401k.
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Anon:
I have some friends who have found that it will cost them less to stay in school forever instead of paying their loans.
Then there’s steam cleaning, which Violet swears isn’t just for carpets. “Steam is such a powerful tool,” she explained. “You can use it to sanitize bathrooms, freshen upholstery, and even tackle tough spots that regular cleaners struggle with.” It’s eco-friendly, chemical-free, and can make a huge difference when you’re trying to deep-clean without a ton of scrubbing.
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Especially big in hotel chains. Get a quote, quit your browser and visit major sites like CNN and espn and you'll see ads for the site you were on w/ a coupon code.
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Read your drivers manual.
TheBlackUnicorn:
I'm really impressed at how difficult people find it to read the rules and understand when/where/how much they have to pay to park in some areas.
I've seen people feeding meters at like midnight because I guess they can't be bothered to go read the sign that says when you have to pay. Likewise any area that says NO PARKING LOADING ZONE EXCEPT SUNDAY or 8AM-6PM you can basically just expect will be a free and open parking spot all night and all day Sunday that you can just take because people can't be bothered to read past "NO PARKING"
Edit: And another thing! One thing that sort of puzzled me for a while was about a year ago my city switched to these parking kiosks instead of meters. So where previously you would have to feed the meter, now you just find the nearest kiosk and put in your number plate. It's an advantage in one sense, now you can pay by credit card or cash. It's a huge disadvantage in other ways though, they took down all the signs that indicated 1. when you would have to pay and 2. the price, so in order to find out that information you have to park and find a kiosk. For a while I thought the city was taking a hit because the kiosks won't let you pay them unless you have to, so no more quarters from that pig-headed guy feeding the meter at 2AM, on the flipside it seems they probably make up for that because I've never gotten the damn things to charge me less than $1, and sometimes I don't need a dollar's worth of parking.
Microwaves are another pain point in most households, but Violet has a trick for that too. Instead of scrubbing endlessly, she suggests steaming a bowl of water with a slice of lemon inside. The steam loosens all the gunk, and the lemon leaves a fresh scent behind. “You’ll be shocked how easily the dirt wipes away after just a few minutes,” she said. It’s simple, cheap, and way more effective than scraping at stuck-on stains.
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This is what you will need to do: enter the Waldorf *Astoria* hotel, get the lift to the 44th floor, get out and walk clockwise until you find the Waldorf Towers lift, get in and head down to reception. Now you will emerge from the lifts looking like a paying resident, and you can grab an apple from the bowl and continue on your merry way. The whole process takes around 7 minutes, but it's so worth it for that apple.
p.s. I last did this several times when I was in NY back in 2010. The only thing I can't remember exactly is the number of which floor to get off - I think it's 44, but I'm not too sure. Regardless, when you're in the lift, select the floor on which all the ballrooms and banqueting suites are situated on - that's the floor which spreads over *both* the Waldorf Astoria and the Waldorf Towers, and thus has lifts for both hotels. Good luck, comrades.