Had someone contact me because a browser interface was ‘down’ and it was actually a cert issue. It surprised me that in an IT context, this person didn’t have a basic understanding of SSL certs. They didn’t even know how to add a cert exception.

It got me thinking, what basic ubiquitous things am I a dumbass about outside of IT?

Ive seen lots of ‘fun facts’ compilations, but it would be better to get a wide range of subject suggestions that I can spend 30 minutes each or less on, and become a more capable human.

Like what subjects would plumbers consider basic knowledge? Chemical interactions between cleaning products and PVC pipes?

What would an accountant or a landscaper consider to be so basic its shocking people can live their lives without knowing any of it?

For most areas of expertise, its difficult to know even what the basics are to start with.

  • @ShepherdPie@midwest.social
    link
    fedilink
    159 months ago

    You can also use an interest calculator or multiply the payment by the term length to see how much over the purchase price you’ll pay in interest.

    This is why it’s important to haggle over the purchase price and not the monthly payment. Never ever negotiate over the monthly payment, or you’re likely to get stuck with a 96-month loan at 23% interest.

    • @jballs@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      109 months ago

      My mother in law bought a truck the same week I bought my car. I mentioned that I got a 1.9% interest rate. She got a 22% rate!!! I was absolutely floored when I found out what she did.

        • @jballs@sh.itjust.works
          link
          fedilink
          English
          69 months ago

          Yeah I was absolutely disgusted when I found out. It made me realize that there’s definitely a “poor tax”. If you don’t have good credit and/or aren’t informed enough to pay attention to interest rates, you’re basically going through life on hard mode.

          • NaN
            link
            fedilink
            English
            29 months ago

            That’s also why you never buy a car near a military base.

            • @jballs@sh.itjust.works
              link
              fedilink
              English
              19 months ago

              Lol that just reminded me of the /r/justbootthings subreddit. So many stories of 24% APR loans on Dodge Chargers.