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The metaphor of small stones falling and causing an avalanche has been done to death, but often enough in life, it stands true. If you really sit down and think about it, so many bits of your own life are the result of choices made, often at random and without planning.
Someone asked “What's your most unexpectedly genius decision made on a whim?” and people shared their best stories. From chance encounters with their soulmates, to inexplicably avoiding disasters, people show just how magical life can sometimes be. So get comfortable, upvote your favorites, and be sure to comment your own thoughts below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Once, I randomly took a route to pick my daughter up from school that I never usually take. Along that rural road, I saw a puppy in a ditch looking starved and very scared. Put him in the car, picked up my daughter, and went to the vet's. After being declared healthy, other than being malnourished, I brought him home, and he has become the best pet ever!! All because I wanted to drive with my windows down!!
Debra Newell 1 year ago
God bless you. There are no such thing as coincidence. Everything happens for a reason.
VonBlade 1 year ago
"Once my puppy escaped out the back door of my rural property. We looked for ages and never found it again". That's what I always read in the subtext of these type of posts.
BPisaddictive 🇮🇹 🤌 1 year ago (edited)
Actually, if properly microchipped it's easier to have them back. First thing my vet and I do when I bring a rescue in is checking for the chip.
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#2
I had a roomate with a drinking problem who got really drunk and decided to fight the cops when they showed up bc he was fighting ppl on the street in front of the house. I was at work on the night shift at the time and I came home that morning to my front door kicked in and the whole entire house was just absolutely trashed. So then a few hours after the the landlord shows up with an eviction notice.
I was too broke to move into my own apartment so I asked a work colleague if I could rent the spare bedroom in his basement for a month or two while I saved money and planned my next move. He agreed. Lol then about a week after I moved in he got caught cheating and just up and left his wife and child to be with his mistress. I felt bad about that bc it left them in the lurch really bad so instead of saving up money to move out I covered the rent for a few months. In that few months The lady got involved with another guy and him and his kids moved in with us.
It's been 12 years and I still live there. They ended up getting married and were so appreciative that I kept them off the streets those first few months they asked me to move into a much bigger house with them where I'd have my own apartment in the renovated garage.
I wouldn't trade these last 12 years for anything. I love the three kids as my own and watching them grow up into talented and kind adults has been probably the most rewarding and satisfying experience I'll ever have. For the first time in my life I really felt welcomed and that I had a family that loves and supports me. I laugh out loud when I think about how close I was to just moving back in with my mom back then.
Mona 1 year ago
I feel like this takes a really special person to happen to, if that makes sense.
Jakoe 1 year ago
I think that it makes a lot of sense. :-) This person had the kind and powerful heart that it took to take care of themself and the ones they cared about!
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#3
We live next to a VRBO. Wife makes fun of me for always saying hi to new neighbors that come in for the weekend, says it’s weird.
I’m walking the dogs, see they have Jersey plates and say hi, ask if they are in town for the Springsteen concert which I can in no way afford to go to so I’m jealous. They are and they have extra tickets if I know anyone who wants to go. I said I’d love to but I know what they cost and send them to a few neighbors who are into music and might go.
Few hours later there is a knock, they ask how much I have (hour before show) and I said I got $100 for my bday but I don’t want to offer that, cause it’s too low. They are drunk and say we’d rather have that than nothing so let’s go! I tell them to cancel the Uber, I’ll drive them (I get free parking there) and have an amazing time with new friends. They even sent me a video of my favorite song.
All cause I said hi…
#4
I asked this girl sitting on my left in my English class if she wanted to go to the coffeeshop after class. Married 40 years now.
hitex 1 year ago
I had a crush on a guy in one of my freshman engineering classes but he had a gf...fast forward 9 years, we meet up at a wedding where he was now divorced from said former gf exactly 30 days (time frame for her to object to entry of final decree). I got his phone #, and snatched his a** off the market before opportunity passed! Married 10 yrs no regrets
SadieCat17 (she/her) 1 year ago
Pretty sure we call that spawn camping /s
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Ghostshaper 1 year ago
My wife sat behind me in Spanish class on the first day of college. Our 20th wedding anniversary will be at the end of this school year.
Seb Benson 1 year ago
Took a chance... Nice... I probably would have missed out with shyness, glad it worked out for them both.
Papa 1 year ago
I struggled with it until I realized that if I didn't ask they couldn't say no, but they couldn't say yes either.
Load More Replies... #5
I did quite a few very important decisions on a whim and just rolled with the outcome.
Best one so far: after 7 years I was sick and tired of my job and most importantly the company I worked for. On the brink of burnout and reoccurring depression, I decided to apply for other jobs to test the waters.
Got invited to an interview for a position I was barely qualified for and was crazy honest during the interview. Told them what I am struggling with at the current job, what I can and can't do, what work environment I wish for etc. The 2 managers I had the interview with were awesome. We had a great conversation and they told me that they have a few more candidates lined up and will get back to me in about 2 weeks.
Got a call the same day from HR, that Manager X would actually love to skip the other interviews as he really wants to work with me - and I just accepted because the the f not?
That job changed everything. The manager became a great mentor and sponsor for my career, I got mentally out of that dark place and enjoyed myself again and I got to meet that cute colleague in the office right next to mine, to whom I am married now :)
CF 1 year ago
No kidding. But reading about it happening to others gives me a little hope that there may still be opportunities like that out there, and that the entire world hasn't gone to s**t yet (only the vast majority of it. )
Load More Replies... I’ll have a treble thanks. 1 year ago
Such a great story, gives hope that some things can happen
Squiffle Noses 1 year ago
I'm casting Sarah Michelle Geller as this guy the in the movie. (Also I'm hoping the discussion about who would play Manager X, the Hr Person and The Guy/Girl In The Office Next Door will get me a good match~? [Male/51/UK SM6 postcode/Single/Thinking about retiring to Portugal or North Cypress. Likes... Long Walks/Crafting/the fantasy genre and cooking. Also I'm trying to write a novel (again,) and learn whittling. No Catfish please!...- If it worked for this guy then it could work for me! NO!?)
#6
Some friends and I went/broke into an abandoned house on our street (legally suspect, I know). But it was broad daylight, and we were children. _My_ mindset was purely explorational.
Cut to the idiots I once associated with smashing everything they found inside to splinters, including several windows. Because that's what kids think is fun.
Needless to say, I get cold feet and dip. But only after finding a pair of glasses on the ground (I had always wanted glasses, for some reason). And they're not even, like, a cool pair of shades. Just someone's pharmacy store, plastic, reading glasses.
So, I make it home and chill out while rocking my new lenses, waiting for my friends to come back. My parents and my friends' parents ask me where they are, and I cover for them by claiming to have no idea.
Soon, the rest of the group runs back, in high spirits from their vandalism. Little did they know they were being trailed, like the amateurs they were. By a middle-aged couple who had apparently been charged with caretaking the building. And they don't look happy.
The couple eagerly tell our parents about our crimes. And our parents, in turn, round us all up from our hiding places. Then, they ask the couple to point out who exactly they had seen.
Cut to the couple picking us out of a lineup while I put on the most neutral expression I can manage. "That one. That one. Also, that one."
Then comes my turn. "Nah. Not that one. None of them had glasses." And they move on.
Moral of the story: Clark Kent isn't Superman.
just me 1 year ago
Maybe they did. Parents had already seen OP at home and the adults said he wasn't there. It would look like they were just trying to get their friend in trouble with them.
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KathyT 1 year ago
It''s a bit odd that the OP's parents didn't tell him to take off the glasses, since they would know that he doesn't wear glasses. Unless they didn't want him to be identified as one of the vandals.
John Nelson 1 year ago
My sister used to explore old abandoned houses in her early teens. No vandalism, just curiosity. Some were long abandoned and dangerous to be in though. One night a cop brought her home and told us this story. She was in an old abandoned house, poking around, and he got called to investigate. As he was looking around he heard a noise. He called out "who's there!" and my sister answered "nobody". He then asked "then who are YOU!" She answered "I'm a ghooooooost....." Yeah, she's blonde :)
Norah Reilly 1 year ago
Shame on all of you for doing that. Don't give me any of that "kids do that" nonsense; you all knew better.
PeepPeep the duck 1 year ago (edited)
Unsupervised kids in a bored environment with no kid facilities (ie a rec centre, skate park, parks in general) lead to a lot of good kids being naughty, I was a bad kid and did this for fun myself, that’s the best explanation I can give as to why we did that kinda stuff. But it’s a mix of factors and even good kids can slip up and get involved. We can all be high and mighty about it but at the end of the day, understanding why and how’s is going to make a bigger change for the better than being a self righteous person. Etc
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#7
Purchasing line insurance when we bought our house. I honestly didn't understand what it was, but said "yeah, sure, whatever" when the insurance agent asked.
We found out the sewer line was collapsed five days after we moved in and it needed to be entirely replaced. It was absurdly expensive, and fully covered by that $47/year added line insurance.
Dumpster Fire 1 year ago
If it's in the US, it's because insurance isn't about the insurance company helping you, it's about the insurance company making money.
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Kevin Humble 1 year ago
Cos freedom .... but seriously - people will look at the price and not the cover. So by shifting a lot of things into "not covered" they can make the price cheaper. You only realise your error when "not covered" explodes.
#8
Needed gas on the way home and stopped at a station i NEVER stop at. Helped a woman that was having car troubles, we have been married for 28 years now!!
#9
I was trying to decide with my wife (gf back then) if we should go to this concert or not. Eventually we decided we are lazy and we'd just sit on the couch watching something (note that we decided we're lazy after getting dressed up, she got her makeup on and all that, we were 1 step from leaving the house basically). This band was playing that we've already seen like 4 times at that point and we wanted to see as many of their concerts as possible. We just said well, next time we'll go for sure. And most of our friends would typically go see this band but they were busy (each for their reason). Some of them were even friends with the band.
It turns out the club where they were playing burnt down during the performance, most people died and the ones that survived will never be the same.
I learned to not feel guilty if I feel lazy to do something. Sometimes it changes things in ways you can't expect.
James McMonigle 1 year ago
I'm in RI and that was immediately what I thought.
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Luckythecat 1 year ago
It was the Colectiv club fire in 2015. Many people died that night, band members too. Survivors are scarred for life, physically and emotionally.
Jorie 1 year ago
My best friend's 27 year old cousin died on the floor of the ladies' room at The Station from smoke inhalation. I also know a nurse who worked with some of the victims in the hospital that night. The emergency room floor was so filled with blood and liquid for the burns that personnel kept slipping in it. I live in Rhode Island and we will never be quite the same.
Petra Schaap 1 year ago
stories like this are the reasons that i HATE indoor fireworks at concerts.
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
Experienced a similar situation. We were supposed to go to a club to watch a live band, had car keys in hand, and at the last second decided to stay home. Found out the following day that a fight broke out causing utter chaos, cops, EMTs and lots of injuries and arrests. Staying home was a good call.
#10
After sleeping on a new pillow I had severe neck pain for the first time ever. Even when I went back to my old pillow, the pain persisted. I tried five or six different pillows (including that Tempur-Pedic c**p). NOTHING HELPED.
This went on for two months. Some days were so bad I could barely get up and dressed for work.
One day, at Aldi, I came across a pile of super soft (SO goddamn soft), super fluffy pillows for sale.
Everything I'd read said to steer clear of super soft pillows if you have neck pain. I figured I'd tried everything else, so I snatched one up and gave it a try that night.
Four months now with zero neck pain.
**Best $14 I EVER spent**.
**EDIT:** I took a look at the tag. It doesn't have a brand name on it. It just says "MADE FOR ALDI" and Item # 58447-23.
ADDchallengedINFP-T 1 year ago
Aldi supermarket is in Canada, but is it the same as the one in the above post?
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Jenny Barton 1 year ago
I find I need a firm pillow as a base and then a soft pillow on top to allow my head to move about freely. No neck pain now!
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
I frequently woke with neck pain, some mornings so bad I could barely move my head. On a whim, I bought a memory foam contour pillow - not the squishy style, but the firmer style - and I'll never go back to regular pillows.
Donald Crocker, Jr. 1 year ago
Really depends on whether you are a side, back, or stomach sleeper, different types of sleeper need different heights of support.
Load More Replies... Jane Hower 1 year ago
What worked for me like it was magic, was MY PILLOW!! It's made of up various small shapes of memory foam and when you adjust it to your shoulders and neck it STAYS that way until you re plump it. MAGIC!!!
#11
Impulsively flying to Asia for no reason whatsoever other than to shake up my comfort zone and face some fear.
10 years later I live there.
Seb Benson 1 year ago
Kudos! In my experience not many have the opportunity or means to do this... and fewer take the chance when it presents itself.
Verena 1 year ago
Actually, a lot more people could do this. Not everybody, of course. But sometimes it can be done with good planning and researching ahead. Or apply for a job abroad. And ... if your employer looks for people who are open to work abroad, wave your hand. It is easier to arrive with a job. A lot of people are envious about the location I live and work at. However, they would have never done it, because of not being able to see their friends and family every day. 10 years onward: Most of these friends and family have left their hometown in the meantime.... So if you really want an adventure in another country, go for it.
Load More Replies... PeepPeep the duck 1 year ago
I don’t think it’s only for the rich or comfortable, I’m technically homeless and have been for three years and if I put my mind to it I could too, but it’s not really an interest of mine, and the countries I’d be able to afford would only be like NZ (which is the coolest on the list of what I can afford 😂) or Bali.
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Legen ( wait for it ) dary 1 year ago
I always travel on my birthday . Instead of the stress and money to organize a party. I travel far, if I have more, if not I go next door city. It's also travel. Best idea ever.
Octavia Hansen 1 year ago
Had all my stuff packed into a small moving van. Parents passed, house emptied & sold. I was gonna move into Dallas TX, only 25 miles away. Saw something on PBS, LOVED the look of Las Vegas. Called a friend, asked if he'd help move me to Vegas. Left the next day. I stayed there for 12 FABULOUS years and have since moved again. Would have moved sooner if I had known it would be so much fun!
Guess Undheit 1 year ago
I periodically went back to my college (in town) and checked the job board for anything. A post said, "TEACH ENGLISH IN [Asian country redacted]". I thought it would be a one year adventure. Instead I've been living and working in several Asian countries for over 20 years.
Legen ( wait for it ) dary 1 year ago
Lots of places in Europe give things for free on birthday or at least discounts.
laura lee 1 year ago (edited)
Free birthday tickets to Asia? Ok sign me up my birthday is in 3 days
Load More Replies... #12
Corrected something on Wikipedia. Ended up meeting my husband. Gg
I started to edit more and more. Turns out the people who are really active basically all know each other (or did at the time.) We started talking and it was a met online story like any other from there.
This is actually a shockingly common story. There are A LOT of married Wikipedians.
Kel_how 1 year ago (edited)
Certainly can't be worse than online dating. At least the people are more likely to be literate.
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censorshipsucks 1 year ago
well at least you are both likely to be pedantic and knowledgeable and prone to correcting people, so you probably won't irritate each other. I however am the guilty party in my couple, so I tend to be an annoyance.
Zophra 1 year ago
I hear you. I value the relationship more than being correct, so I hold my tongue a lot - especially on the minor stuff.
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#13
Convinced my husband to apply for a USDA rural development loan. We were able to get out from under our trailer and actually have a home now.
Squiffle Noses 1 year ago
So lovely to hear a story (in the UK) about the US government actually helping people! I had no idea you even did schemes like this!
Angelshark 1 year ago
In the current housing market I have to wonder just how rural this had to be to be affordable. Sure you can afford your house, but you're also out in the middle of Bumblefuck, Nowheresville with an hour drive or more to get groceries, or fill your gas tank.
Load More Replies... #14
Went to the birthday party of an old work acquaintance I hadn’t seen in months (years?).
He was literally the only person there I knew.
That night I met my wife, and made several new, close friends.
#15
One of the managers was going to be out and unavailable to teach a new hire class. I volunteered. Long story short, I've gotten 6 promotions, each with at least a 15% raise, in the past 7 years. Teaching that class allowed the director to see a bunch of skillsets that he had no idea I possessed. It literally changed the entire course of my career for the better.
Tom Nagel 1 year ago
Probably of no consequence to that person. They would have been doing what they were regularly expected to do. Would not have stood out as a diamond in the rough.
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 1 year ago
Very fortunate. Displaying unexpected skills to supervisors often causes them to exploit or fear you.
#16
I was hanging around in a university waiting for my brother to finish a group project. I was 18, unemployed and had been looking for a job for months with no results.
Randomly decided to apply for several jobs in my industry that I wasn’t totally qualified for, just because I was bored and felt I should probably do something productive in such a studious environment.
Two hours later I got a call from a recruiter, 2 days later I got a job.
Sonja 1 year ago
It often pays out being bold in applications. Don't limit yourself just because you're not a 100% match. Within reason of course. Stretch for the next higher position whenever you apply. You have nothing to lose. Especially in times of online applications.
BarkingSquirell 1 year ago
And one never knows if they are the only applicant...
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Glenn Cuneo 1 year ago
"Randomly decided to apply for several jobs in my industry".....an 18 year old with no college- dishwasher.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 1 year ago
That may be, but it was still a job.
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Mathieu Brouwers 1 year ago
It's the IP address. Some recruiters check the address where the application comes from.
Neopet22 1 year ago (edited)
This is something I suggest to my team members. I am a team lead and one of the sort of first agents that was assigned to me was in that team for 3 years,she was trained on everything and basically felt like she learned everything she needed so she wanted a change. I encouraged her to keep checking open positions at our company and one position caught her eye but the issue was she did not feel confident because she didn't have experience in that field. The position was for temp recruiter. I convinced her to apply even without the experience and background,she ended up getting the job and also becoming permanent in that team. She looks really happy now 😌 always take a chance,there is nothing to lose.
A. Starhawk Hunt 1 year ago (edited)
The company I was with told me that they had decided that my position would be all at home (AHA). Frankly, I HATED working from home. I need people around me , even if I don’t really know/talk to/like them sometimes. So, as I tell people, my company said you’re going to be at home permanently. My word for word reply was that I’d be “permanently working for someone else.” Two days later, I was hired by my current company. I love the company, Charter Communications. They give you benefits day one (I took a PAID vacation between finishing 12 weeks training, and before I ever started on the floor.) I had a bad fall in Aug. Shattered and dislocated my ankle. I’m an elder so not good. I spent 3 months in hospital, and one at home. (Accident happened at home.). They held my job., even though I was struggling in a new role .I’ve an acquaintance there who, while in training, got in a terrible car accident, breaking both femurs. They held his job. And every time he has needed care.
A. Starhawk Hunt 1 year ago
Most recently, same time I was out, he had to have a hip replacement (he’s in his early thirties. :-( ) 5 months, this time. Job held. Another friend put himself in rehab for three months. Job held. Wonderful company. Split second decision.
Load More Replies... Hugh Crawford 1 year ago
If you are 18 and unemployed, and not going to school... What is your industry?
Squiffle Noses 1 year ago
HMMM sounds like someone who found a partner because they stopped looking and seeming desperate! But actually I have recruited in Uni towns and there was usually an over-abundance of good candidates compared to non college towns... so I'm guessing you stood out for a reason... Hmmmm.... "felt I should probably do something productive", you say? - well the answer is right there! You are a proactive and a 'give it a go' getter!
#17
Dropped out of university (Ba Philosophy). Return to read Molecular Biology. Went on to do a PhD. Now a professor of bioinformatics at one of the world's more prestigious universities.
10/10 life decision, no notes.
BarkingSquirell 1 year ago
So happy to hear a good news story about jobs after graduation. Good for you!
#18
I went on a road trip a couple summers ago as what I’ve been referring to as a Pandemic Life Crisis. I stopped in Panama City, Florida on a whim as a stopping point between New Orleans and Jacksonville. I got a cheap hotel and that night walked to a hooters to get some food before going to bed. I planned on waking up and just heading east to meet my friend across the state. While I’m sitting at the hooters, one of the other guests mentioned there’s a cool air show tomorrow at this beach in a state park. I couldn’t give two s***s about air shows, but I decided I should do something in every city I visit and I hadn’t planned on visiting Panama City. I woke up that morning and drove to the state park and set up a lawn chair on the beach. Lo and behold, it wasn’t any b******t air show. It was a training session for the Blue Angels and I got the best photographs of my entire trip. Such an exhilarating experience. Like being inside a real action movie watching the best professional jet fighters do amazing stunts all across the horizon.
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
I went to our local air show nearly every summer and was fortunate to see the Blue Angels perform. Better yet, they all signed my program afterwards. I loved those air shows.
EmbersAreOut 1 year ago
SAME!!! I literally have all the air shows in a 100 mile radius in my calendar. I also drove eight hours to see the Blue Angles perform.
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I heart Boo-BI-es 1 year ago
I live near a once very active air base and I remember when I was in my early teens, watching the Blue Angels practicing stunts, from my yard. It was amazing, I felt like I could almost reach up and touch the planes, they were literally just above the trees, and loud af, but still one of my favorite memories.
ILoveMySon 1 year ago
They practice regularly near me. I am so fortunate to simply go to the beach and enjoy free entertainment.
Rebeka Terry 1 year ago
is hooters actually real? is it really based on breasts? americans freak me out.
Laura Williams 1 year ago
90s my dad was in navy watched every year never got to meet pilots. Although little kids usually get tired fairly quickly.
#19
my academic record wasnt that good but on a whim i applied to an internship in a different country.
every university and job application since has said how impressive it was. im pretty sure this helped me get into one of the best universities in the world, which is now equally the most impressive thing that employers mention
it all snowballed from that decision
Verena 1 year ago
Exactly what I tell my students. If you are young, grab any opportunity to gather international experience, especially if your employer arranges everything. Learn the local language if it is one hardly anyone speaks. This knowledge opens fantastic job opportunities in many fields.
#20
In the very early days of what became the Internet, I went to a meetup with a group that had been online together for awhile. That wasn't something people really did back then (most people didn't even know what "online" meant yet), so it was scary, but my life was trash and I just needed to get away. I met a really sweet guy there, fell for him, and took a way out of character risk and told him so. He's shy, so he never would have told me first that he felt the same way - that was just over 30 years ago, and we're still together!
Duuuuuuude 1 year ago
Wow. This could be mine and my wife's story literally word for word, except for only 25 years instead of 30.
Hellcaste's Wife 1 year ago
My husband and I met online through the first year of Yahoo! Personals! LOL This April we'll be married 24 years and going on 25 years together. Didn't have to worry about the crazies back then...LMAO
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Jan Moore 1 year ago
42+ years ago I wanted to go to the county fair and it was the last night. My friend and I had gone to see some people that we were supposed to have supper with. My friend was having to cancel, the couple said lets go up to B's, their son, store. While there a totally out of my comfort zone hit. I asked him if he wanted to go to the fair. We got married 11 months later. Will be 42 years in August.
#21
Decided to apply for one more school just in case, and looked up who has one of the latest application deadlines, (and was relatively close to the beach).
That resulted in a chain of events that moved me across the country, gave me some of the most fun times of my life, and essentially set me up for a successful career which I love, but would never have imagined. Now I'm married to a east coast lady and have no plans to move back west, so that "let's just try this one" decision 15 years ago completely redirected my life.
Jason Boyd 1 year ago
Being open to opportunities plays a huge part in successful careers and life in general.
#22
Bought a home after the 2009 financial and housing crash. I never saw myself as a home owner, but the right house at the right price at the right location just fell into my lap
Zoe's Mom 1 year ago
Did the same in 2009. Landlord passed away and I knew I couldn't afford higher rent that would have probably happen with a new landlord. My sister talked me into looking for a home. 15 years and I'm almost out of mortgage payments since I purchased the home at such a low cost. I can't afford my own home now. BTW: I live in California.
Vedette Aecus 1 year ago
I managed to pick up a condo in 2011 for half what it went for pre-crash. Now it's worth 25% more than pre-crash.
Load More Replies... Duuuuuuude 1 year ago
It was the 2008 financial crisis and I did the same thing. Sold it 8 years later for 100% profit. If that bubble hadn't burst I'd have never been able to afford a home
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
I wasn't in the market to buy a house, so I rented one instead. A couple of years into my tenancy, the landlord informed me he was selling it and offered it to me first. I bought it.
Mayhem 1 year ago
Back in 2011, my then-boyfriend's dad insisted I couldn't live in the bad part of town anymore since my apartment got broken into. He bought the house I currently live in, I bought it from him in 2014, and I pay off the mortgage this year. Couldn't have done it without him, and I certainly couldn't do it in the current market.
#23
I once decided to go to a birthday party when I had originally planned to go to the mall. When we set off for the mall we started having car trouble and had to head back home. I could have just stayed home but I thought "screw it, I've got nothing else going on." And went to the party.
That's where I met the absolute love of my life and now wife. 25 years together from that day forward. Best "on a whim" decision I've ever made.
Rebeka Terry 1 year ago
Yeah my friend forced me to go to a house party in 2006 that I didn't have any interest in attending. Only knew her. Turns out I met my husband that night, was married with a child in less than one year. Still together 18 years later.
#24
Quit a job I hated. Like literally hated every person I worked with, but I'm not a quitter. One day they called me in on my day off to yell at me. So I tossed my work computer at the boss and walked out the door. On the street I met a bunch of old coworkers and told them what I just did, and they were like uh, a job JUST opened with a guy you know. I texted him and he hired me the next day.
#25
I started running on a whim like 2.5 years ago. Literally got up one day and decided I wanted to go on a run. Only made it like a quarter mile, but I felt good and decided to do it again the next day. Started wondering if I could go for longer without stopping, set a goal for the next few runs. Snowballed from there. I ran a marathon on Sunday and I'm in the best shape I've ever been.
I think what's unexpected about this decision is that it stuck. I can't stress enough that this was not a difficult decision spurred on by a deep, long talk with myself about my health. I literally just got up one day and felt restless so I decided to go on a jog.
Stephanie Barr 1 year ago
This is literally the last thought I'd be likely to have.
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Petra Schaap 1 year ago
I never understood why people enjoyed running laps in the park. Then one day i had a very frustrating argument with my boss. I was so hyper and frustrated, worked up. I passed the park on my way back home and spontaneously decided to race a few laps on my bicycle because i felt like it. Turns out its a great way to let off steam :-D i felt so much better when i got home after the racing laps, i bought running shoes the next day and started running every day (in same park) untill i moved to different country.
#26
One day, I woke up and decided I wanted to go to school for engineering. I was out of high school nearly 5 years at that point and I was never the greatest student either... it was hard, but it was a great decision.
#27
5.5 years ago I decided to be sensible and come back from my holiday on Saturday instead of Sunday to rest up more before returning to work. On Sunday, went onto tinder and matched with a girl who seemed cool. Asked her out after not many messages and set up a date for later that week. Still with her today and had our wedding last July! Turns out that someone else asked her out on tinder right after our first date and she said no based on how good ours was. Could have been a very different story if I hadn't decided to have one less day away ...
busymum 1 year ago
I'm just confused why couldn't you have done it from your phone during your holidays
Tom Brincefield 1 year ago
Tinder is based on your location. He was traveling on holiday and returned home early. She probably wouldn't have shown up where he was traveling.
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#28
Bought over 3600 shares of GameStop mid-January 2021 after seeing a many posts about it. Worked out alright
u/kyonkun_denwa added:
Man that was a crazy time. I remember my brother convinced me to buy GME options because “there’s a short squeeze, no way you can lose money bro, I’m telling you throw a good chunk in there and you can’t lose”.
He had a history of risky investments but I still threw in $1,000 of “what the hell” money and ended up turning it into $20,000. My brother, meanwhile, YOLO’d $22k into options and turned it into $418,000. He ended up paying like $80k in capital gains taxes, but even after accounting for that, he was up like $316,000 on a single bet, having started with just $22k. Absolute insanity.
Cindy Brick 1 year ago
...and I lost $200 in one stroke, just from buying one share. Enjoy your windfall - I helped pay for it!
#29
To buy a scratcher and let the clerk pic the ticket. Didn't care how much the ticket was just told him to pic me a winner. He picked a $10 ticket and I'll be damned if I didn't win $10,000 US.it was a Friday night so I had to wait till Monday to cash in the ticket since it was a large amount. So, being the responsible adult I am, I kept my nephew and stepson out of school on Monday, and we had a boys' day. I did whatever they wanted to do once we went to the lottery off and cashed the ticket.these lil reprobates conspired, and we ended up a Wendy's for lunch. These lil got Double Baconators with chocolate frostys. Now this kids were 11 and 12 and I'll be damned these little put it all down and asked to go to DQ for Blizzards. Ahh what a day.
Riley Quinn 1 year ago
Curious. Does anyone throw the cashier a few bucks for selling them a winning ticket?
Dead Man Talking 1 year ago
Haven't had any big winnings yet, but I always plan to take care of the clerk if it's a winner.
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Leanne Hailes 1 year ago
I was expecting a "tip" to the cashier!?!? Sadly grocery store workers look down on grocery store workers 😥
#30
I was in line at an electronics store to buy a thumb drive or something tiny and one of those Wacom drawing tablets caught my eye. It was super expensive for an impulse purchase ($900aus if I remember correctly), but god damn has that thing been a game-changer and an absolute joy to use. I’ve sunk so many hours into it and it’s the most relaxed and focused I ever feel, which is super satisfying. I’m not suggesting Wacom above all others because I have no idea how they compare. Probably similar. But yeah, so glad I bought one.
Cooter McCoughlin 1 year ago
On a whim, after reading this, I just ordered a cheaper version for my daughter who loves art. Maybe I’ll have a story about it one day
#31
Decided to join a guild when Diablo 2 first came out. Met my wife playing that game in that guild. 22 years ago.
#32
I kinda bought a flat on a whim. Our landlord came to us and told us he will need to end the contract because his landlord told him he needs to sell, so my landlord had to either buy or move. We just moved in, I liked the place so I asked, what if I buy it?
It wasn't easy and without help from my dad, it would be impossible. But I had nice savings, with the help from my dad I was able to make the down payment. I just landed a new job with a good salary, but getting a loan was difficult because I was still in the test period at the job (first 3 months, where either party can end the contract for no reason). But in the end, I got a loan, which I later refinanced to proper mortage.
Being in such a big debt is not great, both psychologically and practically. I think I'd never commit to it if it wasn't for this "let's just do it" moment. I'd never take the decision back, having a place that is my own is so comforting. Living in fear that I will have to move at any moment because some other person wants to end the rent was so frustrating. I am really lucky I was able to afford it, thanks to my good job and my parents.
DeoManus Argentem 1 year ago
How does a landlord have a landlord? I'm genuinely curious because I'm looking at maybe buying overseas, and the term "flat" isn't used here in the US, but I always thought it meant condo/co-op/apartment. Over here "landlord" means owner of the property.
Jen 1 year ago
I don't know if leasehold and freehold are the same over there, but in the UK, the freeholder outright owns the land the building is on, and usually the building, and a leaseholder usually owns part of the building (there are a range of varieties on this scenario though). The leaseholder can then rent or lease out their part to someone else. The freeholder is the head landlord, the leaseholder is a lessee and landlord, and the third party is either a tenant or lessee. It can get very complicated in some situations (I work in property law)!
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Sally Signup 1 year ago
This is also why I just bought a home. We'd rented a house for 7 years, always paid on time, but landlord told us we had to move out, I guess because he wanted to rent at a higher rate and thought we couldn't afford it. In the past we've had a landlord pass away. Constantly rising rent also is a worry. My pay isn't going up to go with the increased costs.
Rosemary 1 year ago
My old boyfriend bought his condo in much the same circumstances. However, it wasn't big enough for both of us to live in, so that's when I realized he wasn't interested in a long term relationship. That freed me up to move back to my home state (my job was ending), where I got a great job and met my husband. That was 25 years ago.
#33
Had recently broken up with my girlfriend and reluctantly let a friend drag me to a party I didn’t want to attend. I just wanted to stay home and feel sorry for myself. I wound up meeting my current wife at that party and I’m really glad I went.
#34
Was up late, and decided to apply for massage school Got trained, licensed, and a job in the field two years later. Night and day financially, and had enough money to go back to college for tech. I went from 400$ a week as the head chef of a famous restaurant (absolute nightmare working there), to being an expert in my field + pretty good medical experience. Being able to communicate (which I learned in massage) is an amazing skillset in tech. I'm by and large in a far better place than someone from my background usually is. All because I was drunk at 6AM, and sent an email
TheElementalGod️️ (He/him) 1 year ago
Lesson learnt: when of legal age, get drunk and write emails
Neffla Parsons 1 year ago
I got drunk and signed up to foster rescue dogs. Didn't realise I had done it until the rescue called to do home inspection. Now I have fostered several dogs and adopted three of them. I live in the middle of a forest so it's a perfect place for dogs to recuperate. So glad I did it, love all the dogs a great deal.
Sven Grammersdorf 1 year ago
"400$ a week as the head chef of a famous restaurant" ?? Was this in the 1960s?
#35
Stayed seated on the bus a lot later than usual because I was being lazy. If I had stood up at my usual time when the bus was still going normal speed, I likely would've gone through the window. A car swerved in front of the bus and the busdriver slammed on the brakes so hard that I slammed into the seat in front of me instead. 30yrs ago when buses didnt have a button to press to let the driver know you needed the next stop.
Zoe's Mom 1 year ago
30 years ago, buses in California had a cord you would pull to let the driver know you needed a stop. Telling you how old I am without giving you a number. :)
Rebeka Terry 1 year ago
buses in australia had buttons thirty years ago and cords 50 years ago
You stole that from Robocop 1 year ago (edited)
I guess in the UK it was probably 40 years ago. Routemaster buses were the last to have a cord.
What do you think ?
Tiny Dancer 1 year ago
My autistic son and I were new to the neighbourhood and looking to go out for lunch. Walked to the end of our street, looked left and saw one restaurant, but the right-hand side had a bunch of places to eat and shop. Easy choice. Then I picked the first place that had a "You can play NTN Trivia here!" sign in the window. I'm in. Literally one other person there, he soon joined the trivia game to keep me company. 24 years later and I had to unfortunately bury him almost a year ago. Wonder what would have happened if I'd turned left that day?
Charlotte Sandoval 1 year ago
I'm agoraphobic and was really struggling to leave the house after dropping out of college. A friend invited me to a potluck one night, and I was hungry and out of groceries. So I gathered my courage and went. Almost chickened out so many times but I was hungry lol I met a guy there and we really clicked. Started dating within a week, engaged within 6 months, married 8 months after that. We have 2 beautiful little girls, 4 cats, and a fish. I get to be a stay at home mom (my dream) and he's helped me rescue and foster 10 cats. When they say listen to your gut, listen! Even if it's just saying you're hungry lol
James016 1 year ago
Many years ago, I used to commute from north London to Kensington for work. My route would take me through Edgware Road station. After more and more delays, I worked out a new route that took me to Notting Hill and walking down to Kensington. The change saved me 10-15mins of journey time which on the London Underground is a lifetime. A couple of weeks later, the July 7 bombings happened. If I had not change route, I would have been at Edgware Road station when the bomb went off.
Cooter McCoughlin 1 year ago
I knew a guy from there who ran an old book store. He was a real goofy guy. Kind of clumsy in a charming kind of way. One day a very famous actress stopped into his store and one thing led to another. They’ve been together ever since.
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 1 year ago
Gave a speech to labor organization. Should have turned left to go back to my seat, but turned right instead. Encountered the organization's vice president. Married her 15 months later. Still married after 36 years.
Igor914624 1 year ago
In 1985 I was supposed to go to an event at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas early on a Sunday morning with two friends. When it came time to leave for the events, both friends were hung over and sleeping. I almost didn't go, but decided I was already up and went anyway. I met my wife that day. We are still together after 38 years. The funny part is she almost didn't go to the event either. She thought it was the weekend before and went then and had to go back the next Sunday.
Neopet22 1 year ago
Of being in my new role,I got the invitation to accept the higher promotion. I was shocked actually and at first wanted to decline because I felt I don't have enough experience yet,but I ended up taking the leap and I make way more money than I thought I could make without a degree. The funny thing is,I spent more time applying for a lower position and failing than I did in the actual role. 😅
Neopet22 1 year ago
2 years ago,I was in a pretty bad place mentally caused by my job. I failed 2 interviews for a promotion and that got me depressed,I know 2 interviews is not many but our team was small and it was a promotion inside that team so opportunities were scarce. I was at the lowest entry level role but I had passion and the experience. Anyways,after failing 2nd interview,I saw there was an opening for an even higher position at my old team,that position was one above the one I didn't pass the interview for. On a whim I decided to apply but I didn't think I would get it. I did end up getting an interview and was told it will be 2 weeks or so to get an answer. After that,we had another opening in my team for the initial position and I applied again,finally passed the interview and started that role. Now the 2nd position that I didn't think I was gonna get,was radio silent for a little over a month so I just said I probably didn't get it and was kind of fine with it. But after around 2 months
Tiny Dancer 1 year ago
My autistic son and I were new to the neighbourhood and looking to go out for lunch. Walked to the end of our street, looked left and saw one restaurant, but the right-hand side had a bunch of places to eat and shop. Easy choice. Then I picked the first place that had a "You can play NTN Trivia here!" sign in the window. I'm in. Literally one other person there, he soon joined the trivia game to keep me company. 24 years later and I had to unfortunately bury him almost a year ago. Wonder what would have happened if I'd turned left that day?
Charlotte Sandoval 1 year ago
I'm agoraphobic and was really struggling to leave the house after dropping out of college. A friend invited me to a potluck one night, and I was hungry and out of groceries. So I gathered my courage and went. Almost chickened out so many times but I was hungry lol I met a guy there and we really clicked. Started dating within a week, engaged within 6 months, married 8 months after that. We have 2 beautiful little girls, 4 cats, and a fish. I get to be a stay at home mom (my dream) and he's helped me rescue and foster 10 cats. When they say listen to your gut, listen! Even if it's just saying you're hungry lol
James016 1 year ago
Many years ago, I used to commute from north London to Kensington for work. My route would take me through Edgware Road station. After more and more delays, I worked out a new route that took me to Notting Hill and walking down to Kensington. The change saved me 10-15mins of journey time which on the London Underground is a lifetime. A couple of weeks later, the July 7 bombings happened. If I had not change route, I would have been at Edgware Road station when the bomb went off.
Cooter McCoughlin 1 year ago
I knew a guy from there who ran an old book store. He was a real goofy guy. Kind of clumsy in a charming kind of way. One day a very famous actress stopped into his store and one thing led to another. They’ve been together ever since.
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 1 year ago
Gave a speech to labor organization. Should have turned left to go back to my seat, but turned right instead. Encountered the organization's vice president. Married her 15 months later. Still married after 36 years.
Igor914624 1 year ago
In 1985 I was supposed to go to an event at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas early on a Sunday morning with two friends. When it came time to leave for the events, both friends were hung over and sleeping. I almost didn't go, but decided I was already up and went anyway. I met my wife that day. We are still together after 38 years. The funny part is she almost didn't go to the event either. She thought it was the weekend before and went then and had to go back the next Sunday.
Neopet22 1 year ago
Of being in my new role,I got the invitation to accept the higher promotion. I was shocked actually and at first wanted to decline because I felt I don't have enough experience yet,but I ended up taking the leap and I make way more money than I thought I could make without a degree. The funny thing is,I spent more time applying for a lower position and failing than I did in the actual role. 😅
Neopet22 1 year ago
2 years ago,I was in a pretty bad place mentally caused by my job. I failed 2 interviews for a promotion and that got me depressed,I know 2 interviews is not many but our team was small and it was a promotion inside that team so opportunities were scarce. I was at the lowest entry level role but I had passion and the experience. Anyways,after failing 2nd interview,I saw there was an opening for an even higher position at my old team,that position was one above the one I didn't pass the interview for. On a whim I decided to apply but I didn't think I would get it. I did end up getting an interview and was told it will be 2 weeks or so to get an answer. After that,we had another opening in my team for the initial position and I applied again,finally passed the interview and started that role. Now the 2nd position that I didn't think I was gonna get,was radio silent for a little over a month so I just said I probably didn't get it and was kind of fine with it. But after around 2 months
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