What is a problem you need solved either personally or in your community?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not my problem, but I know 3 people who put off medical procedures (like colonoscopies) because they didn’t have someone to drive them home.

(Two don’t live in my area and the other was before I knew them - otherwise I would have helped!). I just had my pupils dilated and couldn’t drive after that exam and I have a procedure involving anesthesia coming up and I’m grateful my DH can drive me.

This is a good one. The caveat is many places won’t just let you take an uber home, but require an adult to be with you for at least a few hours afterward. I know because my husband had to telework to stay home with me recently when I had a minor procedure done.

So I think it would need to be more than just a driving service. Maybe a medical concierge who could stay with you, pick up prescriptions, etc.

Like a driving doula for cataract surgery, or colonoscopies! I would pay well for this service for my mom who lives out of state.

This doesn't solve this problem, because people need to stay with you for a little while after these procedures, but I once looked at an independent living facility for my mom, and they told us they partnered with a "company" that had a service where you called them on the phone, and they sent a car to pick you up and take you whereever you wanted to go. They even stayed on the phone with you while you waited and told you when to look out the door.

It was high school students with uber accounts! They just answered the phone, ordered the uber, and then kept talking to the elderly person till they got in the car, and then charged them double what uber charged for the ride. I thought it was brilliant, and was kind of sad when my mom picked a different independent living facility that didn't offer this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want housecleaners who don't steal, don't break things, don't judge, aren't intrusive, don't pretend to clean but really clean, don't slack off after 6 months and don't make me feel like I need to clean or tidy before they come over. Will pay top dollar. But it doesn't exist.

I work from home 3 days a week and have observed the behavior of 3 of my neighbors’ “house cleaners.” Long story short: (1) one spends most of her time smoking outside and always leaves in less than an hour; (2) one is in and out in 30-40 mins; and (3) one is typically there for two hours but spends a lot of time sitting in her car on the phone.

I know what my neighbors pay (it’s a lot), and there’s no way these people are really cleaning a big colonial home in under an hour.

They have all dealt with things disappearing. One had her engagement ring stolen and the cleaner disappeared (phone cut off).

I would never hire a cleaner. Never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lack of skilled caregivers for those with intellectual disability and the elder population. We just don't pay enough for this important work.

I’m not sure it’s just the pay.

I think it’s hard to find a service to make the match.

The services take so much off the top that the hourly pay is actually quite high.

For people who don’t truly need medical care, a cheerful and competent companion who visits, cleans, shops, and hangs out to chat and ideally get the person to do a little exercise, etc. is what many people need. Assuming a lot of that could be done between school bus hours, I bet lots of SAHMs could do this very well and make some decent money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not my problem, but I know 3 people who put off medical procedures (like colonoscopies) because they didn’t have someone to drive them home.

(Two don’t live in my area and the other was before I knew them - otherwise I would have helped!). I just had my pupils dilated and couldn’t drive after that exam and I have a procedure involving anesthesia coming up and I’m grateful my DH can drive me.

This is a good one. The caveat is many places won’t just let you take an uber home, but require an adult to be with you for at least a few hours afterward. I know because my husband had to telework to stay home with me recently when I had a minor procedure done.

So I think it would need to be more than just a driving service. Maybe a medical concierge who could stay with you, pick up prescriptions, etc.

Yes, I agree there needs to be drivers who will also help you get where you are going and back home, and wait in the waiting room with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lack of skilled caregivers for those with intellectual disability and the elder population. We just don't pay enough for this important work.

I’m not sure it’s just the pay.

I think it’s hard to find a service to make the match.

The services take so much off the top that the hourly pay is actually quite high.

For people who don’t truly need medical care, a cheerful and competent companion who visits, cleans, shops, and hangs out to chat and ideally get the person to do a little exercise, etc. is what many people need. Assuming a lot of that could be done between school bus hours, I bet lots of SAHMs could do this very well and make some decent money.

And be accused of stealing everything.

[Anonymous]

I’d really like, like everyone to know how Gen AI works.

Exec summary: it’s the best white male bullshit machine ever invented. It’s great at guessing language.

I’m kind of done with people who don’t get it’s not sentient and cannot think. Do not ever use it for anything requiring certainty. And please don’t believe 3 models makes it better.

Use your brain. Understand it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finding reputable home repair companies and contractors. I used to use Angie’s list and it was great

Yes! I’m so tired of researching companies, reading reviews, scheduling estimates, etc. I have a laundry list of things I need done around the house, but it requires managing multiple types of contractors.

I need an electrician to fix some outlets and hardwire some light fixtures. My HVAC is incredibly old (have kicked the can 2x with repairs) and likely needs to be replaced soon. I want to have our sewer line scoped. There is some carpentry work (e.g. shelving and such) I’d like to do. I need someone to do a bit of drainage work and put in a walkway in my side yard. My driveway needs repaving. And on and on.

Obviously paying for this stuff isn’t fun, but I have the money. What I don’t have is time to arrange all these things. And if your project is too small there may not be interest or you won’t be prioritized on the schedule.

I wish there was some centralized contracting service that could come to your house and write up an estimate for everything and send out the people you need for each project. It feels like as soon as I knock 1-2 projects off our to do list another few pop up. I’m always looking around at the things that need fixed but I don’t have time to schedule to fix.

You need a property management company if you don't feel like managing it yourself.
They will then go out and hire for each individual trade.

[Anonymous]

More above. They are banking that you’ll be sooooo intimidated to ask questions. It’s not difficult nor novel IT concepts. It’s just a wicked large compute of a chess board of possible answers.

It seems smart but those PR campaigned hallucinations aren’t mushroom induced, it’s bullshit all the way down, across.

Here’s the big trouble - you think it’s a great investment to operationally be more efficient and you gloss over that indeterminate error rate. Which is fine for some work but not all work.

[Anonymous]

Immigration paperwork

I left home country as a child and I have no documents aside from a birth certificate and expired passport. I’m an adult now and I also have American citizenship. However, to get citizenship for my children I need my own civil affairs in order: This means getting the equivalent of my country’s social security card, voting registration (it’s mandatory) and valid passport and ID card. And THEN I need to apply for my children and get them passports!

I really really don’t want to deal with all this, but can’t in good conscience let my kids not have citizenship especially since American citizenship is becoming increasingly worthless.

Can you help?

[Anonymous]

I would probably start a handyman company. Interview several "fixers" and hire a few that can do a multitude of jobs such as light electrical work like switches and light fixtures, powerwashing, gutters, unplugging drains, replacing failed fire detectors, diagnosing problems like roof leaks and excessive basement humidity and give referrals for things that they aren't equipped to do. Like a mini localized taskrabbit. A lot of one-offs.

The problem is they may just keep a list of your customers and work you out of the business. Plus you may have to deal with bonding, workman's comp issues, a customers that aren't satisfied with the work or don't pay.

There are easier ways to make money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would probably start a handyman company. Interview several "fixers" and hire a few that can do a multitude of jobs such as light electrical work like switches and light fixtures, powerwashing, gutters, unplugging drains, replacing failed fire detectors, diagnosing problems like roof leaks and excessive basement humidity and give referrals for things that they aren't equipped to do. Like a mini localized taskrabbit. A lot of one-offs.

The problem is they may just keep a list of your customers and work you out of the business. Plus you may have to deal with bonding, workman's comp issues, a customers that aren't satisfied with the work or don't pay.

There are easier ways to make money.

I posted this because a lot of the services are extremely expensive ($300 or more per job) and there's probably a market to wedge yourself in-between on cost that's more reasonable. Trades are solid work with solid demand.

[Anonymous]

I can’t stand cars and motorcycles with extra loud noise making attachments. How are those legal??? Can you please get rid of those?

[Anonymous]

I’ll give you a real one - I want a company to come and power wash my garbage and recycling cans regularly. I know we can do this but no one in my house does it.

My parents live in an area where a company charges $30 to do this. They constantly complain “who would pay $30 to have someone do this?” They advertise a lot. I want this service.

[Anonymous]

^ Op - I just read your update. Which sanitizing company did you use for your trash bins? It’s funny we wrote the same thing. I’ve never found a company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t stand cars and motorcycles with extra loud noise making attachments. How are those legal??? Can you please get rid of those?

The purpose of the loud attachments isn’t to be obnoxious, it is to add a small layer of safety when on the highway. During times of low visibility, you may not see the motorcycle but you will hear it.

One time before dawn on the highway, I looked, saw nothing in my mirrors and was about to change lanes when I heard the roar of a motorcycle. I jerked the wheel and got back into the middle of my lane.

I never complained about a loud motorcycle ever again. The loud attachment may have saved the biker’s life that day.