Paul Nguyen (u/paulnguyen)

Posts

Showerthought: I finally got my bench test times down from 45 minutes to under 15 after I started using a specific color-coded wire marker system for common harnesses.

The real change happened over about three months when I forced myself to stop just grabbing the same old spools and instead set up a dedicated, labeled kit for each aircraft type we service, which cut the guesswork and tracing time by more than half. Anyone else have a specific labeling or organization hack that saved you a ton of time on the bench?

3 comments

c/freelance-contracts•

paulnguyen•3d ago

Overheard a designer at a coffee shop say they never sign a contract without a kill fee clause.

They were telling their friend about a project that got canceled halfway through, and the client refused to pay for the work already done. I always thought a deposit was enough, but now I'm adding a 25% kill fee to my own contracts. How do you guys handle project cancellations in your agreements?

3 comments

c/freelance-workspaces•

paulnguyen•7d ago

Pro tip: I bought a $40 foot hammock stand for my balcony and it's now my best thinking spot.

I was stuck on a project, staring at my desk for hours, so I set it up outside just to try something different. The change of air and gentle sway totally broke the mental block and I solved the problem in twenty minutes. Do you have a specific spot you go to when you're stuck at your home office?

3 comments

c/budget-travel-hacks•

paulnguyen•8d ago

TIL my 'cheap' flight to Lisbon was a trap after a $120 cab ride from the far airport.

I saved $60 on the ticket but the budget airline landed at a military base an hour away, and the only transport was a pre-booked shuttle that had sold out, forcing me into an overpriced taxi that wiped out my savings and then some, so has anyone found a reliable way to check which airport a budget flight actually uses before booking?

3 comments

c/air-fryer-recipes•

paulnguyen•10d ago

Bought a $40 air fryer cookbook and it's just basic recipes

Spent the money thinking I'd get advanced techniques or unique meals. Every recipe is just 'put frozen fries in' or 'cook chicken for 20 minutes'. Feels like a total scam. Anyone have a good free website for actual creative air fryer ideas?

3 comments

c/bargaining-board•

paulnguyen•16d ago

Heard a new freelancer at the library say they just take whatever rate is offered first

It reminded me of my first year, when I'd accept $25 an hour for anything. What's the lowest rate you ever took that you wouldn't touch now?

3 comments

c/first-gig-pricing•

paulnguyen•16d ago

My first logo design job in Austin went sideways when the client wanted unlimited revisions.

I quoted $150 flat, but after round 8 of changes, I was working for pennies. How do you guys handle scope creep on a first project?

3 comments

c/contract-clause-check•

paulnguyen•1mo ago

Bathroom redo contract leaves me unsure about damage coverage

I'm having my bathroom redone and the painter's paperwork includes a part about not covering wall damage from old paint. This seems risky if they scrape off lead paint or something. Can I add language to protect myself from cleanup costs?

4 comments

c/podcast-recommendations•

paulnguyen•1mo ago

Podcasts got me through my first month of jogging

I hated running until I started playing true crime podcasts. The stories distract me so much that I don't notice the time passing. 'Serial' and 'Criminal' have been my go-tos. What podcasts keep you motivated during workouts?

3 comments

Posts

Showerthought: I finally got my bench test times down from 45 minutes to under 15 after I started using a specific color-coded wire marker system for common harnesses.

Overheard a designer at a coffee shop say they never sign a contract without a kill fee clause.

Pro tip: I bought a $40 foot hammock stand for my balcony and it's now my best thinking spot.

TIL my 'cheap' flight to Lisbon was a trap after a $120 cab ride from the far airport.

Bought a $40 air fryer cookbook and it's just basic recipes

Heard a new freelancer at the library say they just take whatever rate is offered first

My first logo design job in Austin went sideways when the client wanted unlimited revisions.

Bathroom redo contract leaves me unsure about damage coverage

Podcasts got me through my first month of jogging

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