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Turning 30 is the point at which people are expected to "figure it all out." And indeed, many of those who say goodbye to their 20s begin a new chapter in their lives by getting engaged, pregnant, or tired of everyone around them.

The big 3-0 is often built up to be the biggest celebration after our "coming of age" 18ths. A time to get ambitious. A time to achieve. But while important career changes, 401(k)s, and the inability to party past midnight (not to mention the burning matter of "settling down") might sound anxiety-inducing, in reality, our 30s aren't something to be afraid of. They're when things start to get good.

But to get the full picture of what happens during this decade, let's look at the Instagram account Thirty AF. This millennial heaven shares funny memes, relatable tweets, and all kinds of content that perfectly capture the highs and lows during this period. So continue scrolling and check out some of its most popular posts!

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Ryan Deschanel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He used "You are a nerd" as an excuse to break up with her? Wow... He clearly had self-worth issues, assuming it meant he was not good enough for her.

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The account is run by two pals, Chloe Jankowitz, 35, and Peter West, 34. "We've been good friends since day one of our freshmen year at Emerson College in Boston, MA," the guys told Bored Panda. "Since graduating in 2009, we've always lived far apart, in different states or sometimes in different countries."

"We have a very similar sense of humor and a way we've kept in touch is through sharing memes and videos with each other. In 2018, we decided to start Thirty AF as a fun way to share these jokes with a wider group of friends. We never really thought it would ever grow into anything more than a fun hobby, but eventually, it really started picking up and we decided to put more of our focus into figuring out what our brand was and finding creative new ways to engage our quickly growing following through reposted content and regular features that we created ourselves. We both have backgrounds in marketing and media, and found that our combined skills helped us create something that stood out from other meme accounts and build a fun and engaged community of 30 somethings."

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Veronica Sjöberg
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never answer if I don't know who's calling. The decent ones send a text after saying who they are and/or what it is about. I wish all people could do that instead of keep calling several times.

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At the moment, Chloe and Peter have a whopping 1.6-million following and this huge fan army also has a few notable names, like singer Demi Lovato and actor Channing Tatum.

"When life changed dramatically for everyone in March 2020 and we all found ourselves spending a lot more time at home and a lot more time with our phones, we put even more energy into building Thirty AF. We grew by over 1 million followers in a single year, and it is now a full-time job for both of us," the duo said.

The project has also expanded to TikTok and recently got its first spinoff — a food account, called Hungry AF. "We run an online shop and release a yearly Nostalgia Box that is a fun mix of products from nostalgic brands like Dunkaroos and the Lisa Frank nail wraps from Orly, and also fun products featuring nostalgic references. Our 2021 box sold out in under 24 hours! We're also working on some very exciting things for 2022 including a touring pop-up event and a TV game show - we can't share a lot of info on that yet, but it is insanely exciting and something we never thought would happen!"

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Sonja
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I shouldn' have laughed..but I did.. I feel your pain..

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Widdershins66
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣🤣🤣 I'm putting on my footwear before attempting to put on my legings, twice!

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Naturally, all of this effort demands a lot of time and energy. "The way we manage Thirty AF has changed a lot over the years. Much of the content that we post is submitted by creators."

"We love meeting creators and comedians who are new to Instagram and helping drive traffic to their pages; we have networked with a ton of incredibly talented creators over the years and share their content a lot. We keep a close eye on meme trends and will often share roundups of the funniest memes and tweets related to trending topics (the latest being the 'According to the CDC' meme trend). We're also part of a lot of online groups, particularly for millennials and different nostalgia groups, and a lot of content comes from there. We also create a lot of original content mostly for our stories and TikTok," Chloe and Peter explained.

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For the stories, the account has a daily feature. "Followers apply to be featured as our daily single looking for love. We share their photo and info about them and encourage other followers to DM them. This has been going on for almost two years and a few engagements have come from it so far!"

There's also the semi-regular Small Business Saturday feature where Chloe and Peter share the businesses they love, as well as holiday gift guides. "We have a lot of friends who are business owners and have so much respect for millennials who have decided to reject the corporate hustle and create their own businesses, so helping support people like that, especially businesses run by women and BIPOC is super important to us."

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Burs
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While also teaching them that it is fine to not having children. Which is amazing. Modern childfree people suffer a lot of hate but we at least have more options. But Previous generations were brainwashed to think that they needed to have kids.

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"We also do regular story poll features like our Bop or Flop feature where followers decide if a song is a bop or a flop. When songs score over 65% bop, they are added to our Bop or Flop playlist on Spotify that has almost 40k followers," the two of them added.

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Their latest story feature is Now That's What I Call Music brackets where followers rank albums from one of the Now That's What I Call Music. This gig takes Chloe and Peter an entire week and at the end of it, they announce what is the biggest bop. "People (including the two of us!) get so into it. We are starting our NOW 7 bracket next week, we're both rooting for Survivor by Destiny's Child to be the winner... But we'll see. Britney and NSYNC do seem to win a lot! We're going to bracket Now 1-10 and then do an all-stars round where the winning tracks face off against each other. It's really fun!"

Thirty AF's content touches on a lot of different themes but some of the most recurring ones are "self-deprecating humor that millennials relate to, commentary on issues facing millennials such as salaries ... not having the ability to own a home, some tongue in cheek 'okay boomer' humor (love you mom and dad!), finding relatable humor in issues like anxiety and depression, etc."

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But the biggest hits are nostalgic posts for the 90s and early 2000s. "The past few years have been really weird and stressful for everyone, and looking back on the comfort of these things that we all bonded over as kids has provided a lot of comfort and connection during these turbulent times," Chloe and Peter said.

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Michele Viney
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was trying to remember the name of a song recently. All I knew for definite was that "Mountain" and "Sea" were in the lyrics. It took a bit of searching (yes on Google) to find it. FYI it was "Truly, Madly, Deeply" by Savage Garden.

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"We really do try to read every message we get and reply when we can, and one of my favorite types of messages is a 'PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one who remembers [insert obscure TV/music/product/game reference from the 90s]' type of message and this always gives us ideas for posts and features. So much of the 90s feels like a bizarre fever dream, and being able to connect with other people in an 'OMG I remember that too!' moment is such a fun and, not to sound cheesy, wholesome way to connect," the team behind Thirty AF added.

"There is so much that is driving everyone apart right now and put effort into focusing on our differences, nostalgia is something that can, for a minute at least, make us focus on the things that brought us together as kids. And that has been a main and growing theme of Thirty AF and something we're excited to keep sharing!"

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Brendan Roberts
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait what? Women can be happy and feel fulfilled by having a successful career?

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Walking On Sunshine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah why don't we have good hackers that go in and erase peoples mortgages and student loans like undercover brother?

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Nadia Monteira
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean we American want healthcare. Europe has healthcare (of course dental could be improved). We would like people to not live on the street. Family with kids to be able to feed them and pay school meals and also less violence

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Ryan Deschanel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boomers took everything, ruined everything, then blamed everyone else.

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Veronica Sjöberg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom always said "be quiet until they go away" if someone showed up without notice. I do the same with my kids, lol. Even if it's someone I know I want to be prepared to socialize. And if it's someone I don't know its creepy. It makes sense to not just open your door to anyone when it's so easy to call/text/email beforehand.

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Nicola Roberts
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read a post that said something along the lines of answer the door with your coat on. If it's someone you don't want to talk to you're just leaving but if it's someone you like then you've just got in. Or hide behind the door. Either works for me.

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Stephanie A Mutti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have ZERO obligation to answer the door when you aren't expecting anyone in the same way you have ZERO obligation to answer the phone. You owe no unexpected visitors or callers your presence.

tiffanywilson avatar
Tiffany Wilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a serial killer that would check to see if your door was unlocked. If it wasn't, he felt he wasn't welcome there. To this day, I keep my doors locked regardless.

nataliekelsey avatar
Natalie Kelsey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol I'm so sorry I'm that ADHD friend that's like "oh yeah, Shelley, she likes strawberries" and just shows up at your house with strawberries and you're like you dummy why didn't you call I'm on my way out the door and I'm just like, I have these strawberries for you because we're friends...

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Tami
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Etiquette books from the 1950s say it's rude to show up without calling first.

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June Gem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

70's kid here and I won't go to the door unless I am expecting someone. I can't stand people that just show up. I am liable to sit on the couch and wave yet still not come to the door. Don't be rude call before stopping at someone's home

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me and my mom were going over an evening walk and came up to lane with this zapping sound. We look up and there was a power line sparking against some tree branches. My mom was alarmed. None of us had our cellphones on us. So we went to the house closest house and knocked on the door. A very worried lady answered but she was thankful we alerted her about it. My mom kept going on about how scared she looked at us lol.

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Margaret Wellman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol. My old roommate had kids, they were at our house one weekend and a solicitor came up and rang the doorbell. My roommates daughter goes to window and asks who it is. My roommate just stares at the solicitor and walks away. His daughter is still staring out the window at the man and my roommate goes, "Daughter, get away from the window." And we all just kept on with our lives. It cracks me up to this day. We acknowledged the solicitor, but just moved on. Much better than my strategy of slinking into the chair or couch till they went away.

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EEF🤓
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I NEVER answer it. It's usually someone trying to sell something.

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Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pro Tip: get a dog. Keeps unwanted people away - and you won't NEED anyone other if you have a doggy.

marinas avatar
Marina Schwartz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live the same credo I don’t answer the phone just because it rang same with texts and I don’t answer the door if I don’t know who it is. I will look out my window and even if they see me I still won’t answer the door I’m no slave to society lol

ddw2945 avatar
Curry on...
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't like it when people say they're going to stop by just because they're out and about. Wait for me to invite you, ok?

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Sarah M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I NEVER answer my door unless I'm expecting that person. I thought it was just me!

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Lynn H
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are too many messed up people in the world to open the door for just anybody. If you weren't invited or didn't let me know ahead of time, you're not getting an answer.

isabellaheron avatar
Bellashroom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why did the 70s have so many serial killers then. That’s why

ax2usn avatar
Bobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too many mean, desperate people nowadays to justify opening doors to unexpected knocks.

melindanicole avatar
Melinda Nicole
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank God for doorbell cameras or the camera I have in the driveway so I have time to hide.

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François Carré
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And also, why phone scammers are still a thing, due to old people still feeling compelled to politely answer any phone call, as if it is a privilege or a sacred duty.

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Yllix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thinks like this!

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GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing good has ever happened to me when I open a door to someone who hasn't called first.

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Random Anon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uhh I don't even answer my phone after and before certain times if I don't know the number or it's from some shcmuck that can't read the f*****g clock.

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Lytha Hawkeye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do, but then if someone is knocking on my door in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, it's either someone we know dropping by, or church people who want to "save our heathen souls"

ks avatar
K S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been wanting to talk to my new neighbors and I don't have their number! I know if I knock on their door, I am just starting off our relationship by stressing them out and making them hide lol. So, it could be awhile before we ever have contact.

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kathryn stretton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True, we were much more trusting then. Sad, isn't it? Mostly we took care of each other. The 1 in a million stuffed it up. Then it turned into 1 in 100 will cheat you one way or another. Now, more kids than before abuse you and take and steal and are rude. Not their fault, their parents trained them, and that is their parent's fault. There are lovely kids and familes still, but it's very sad that I have to be wary first before I welcome them. It's just scary today. And I'm sad.

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Samantha Reyes-Tapia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, everyone knows i have 2 rules we don't break. 1. call at least 48 hours before you come over. That ones tricky since my mom, brother and I all live in the same apartment complex. And 2. I dont baby sit.

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Jennifer Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll answer the door buck NAKED! Love the reactions I get! Especially the Bible thumpers I try to entice to the 'dark side LMFAO!

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Jennifer Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if it's the police n their making threats if you don't open the door? Like we'll break it down or tow your car if you don't answer?

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Wondering Alice
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gen X here - reading these comments helps me understand why I have answered the door so often to people lost or wanting a little help who say they were getting worried no one was ever going to answer. If I'm home alone, I do pop the chain on. If it's someone I don't want to deal with like a politician, I just politely say sorry I'm not interested.

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Jessica Julian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If we hear a car in the driveway, we hide. Turn off the TV, grab the dog, and hide in the bathroom, until they go away.

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Nate Moore
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. I always answer the door. And I always answer the phone. But I was just raised not to ignore people.

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Kira Nazena
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid we'd either open the backdoor, yell "can xxx come play?" or just waltz in. The good old times.

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Melissa J
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in the 80s if there were people trying to sell anything or preaching anything my mom had us duck and stay quiet. Then when they walked away we could resume life as usual. Why didn't they just say no thank you instead of us hitting Def-Con 4 everytime someone knocked on the door?

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the last time a random stranger knocked on our doors was the late 1970s. since then we've had 6ft walls and big f-off signs advertising armed security services. problem solved.

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Rebecca C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a large unfriendly dog so I have an excuse not to let anyone in.

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Thee8thsense
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hung a sign on my art studio that read "If you don't have an appointment, you don't stand a chance. None. Now go away". It worked well.

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Alya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having a set up where you can see them without them seeing you is imperative. Gotta make sure I know the person (and want to interact with them)

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Nicole A
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Answer the door?! Nah - that's when you pretend that's not your car right in front and pretend you're not home while you sneak a look through the blinds. My UPS lady knows I'm antisocial and she leaves the box (she's a wonderful lady though, just too busy to chat). Amazon flings stuff from the curb almost and I'm not fast enough to get there to see them anyway. The only people who come to the door are trying to sell you something or scam you. Or "friends" who didn't warn you so you could at least vacuum first. On our neighborhood app, people say they answer the door with their gun to get rid of the people faster. Of course, this is Texas...

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Bobby
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aye, not much different in Missouri or Seattle area in Washington State. Wouldn't even step out the door without weapon in Southern California.

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Ola Pe
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d love to have such meeting. The jobs don’t need to be shitty

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Brendan Roberts
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The older I get, the more I rely on professionals to do anything and everything for me. No more hanging my own photo frames.

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Sabrina Bowen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, this is sorta genius. I could have saved myself and my realtor a lot of time had I known one house we wanted to see had 6ft ceilings, another had shelf paper glued to the "newly finished floors," and a third had a basement floor on an angle making most of it unusable despite being listed as "finished" and "spacious."

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Brendan Roberts
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd trust my kid to do the booby traps, but there's no way he'd buy groceries or do the laundry.

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Veronica Sjöberg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But that's the only perks you have. Eating what you want. Or drink soda or eat candy on weekdays (but in secret if you have kids).

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Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can you imagine the decompression alarm just went off, you're putting on your spacesuit, get to the helmet and are trying to stuff your three-foot-long tress up under your helmet before your oxygen runs out....

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