Gen X Lifehack | TheaterFire

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Expensive-Ferret-339@reddit

I use the non-emergency police number in my city. A clerk at a store told me to try it and I’ve used it at several stores since then.

Recently I stopped to buy something or other and the clerk told me there were enough points to get gas for about a dollar a gallon! Unfortunately you have to have the actual card to redeem it.

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Apart_Olive_3539@reddit

"Discount don't change your number, I've got to make you mine"

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SmokinZBT@reddit

Area code + 555-1212. The old directory service. Works every single time.

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Zealousideal_Lack936@reddit

I’ve used (area code)555-1212. Younger people have no idea and even some older people have forgotten.

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3rdRockStranded@reddit

I use this as test a test number when I'm dealing with US phone data, which granted isn't very often, but I'm old so "every so often" adds up to quite a lot.

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Elly13x@reddit

My phone number growing up was 566-1212…we got so many calls

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Impressive_Crazy_223@reddit

Gah, how annoying. But also, how drunk does one have to be to misdial three 5s in a row?

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midwesternmayhem@reddit

I tried to register some rewards card with that number, and got a validation error. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens.

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BmanGorilla@reddit

I use my wife’s phone number. I’m disturbed by how often that works. It does help explain the amount of junk mail we get.

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Careless-Gazelle-247@reddit

I have a friend that registered his rewards number with [area code redacted] 8675309 and has been raking in rewards....

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I used this at the self checkout at whatever the grocery store is on Key West. It showed almost a million rewards points but of course you need the pin to access it. Whoever created that account basically gets free groceries forever, since you can use the points like cash towards your total.

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Impressive_Crazy_223@reddit

Now *THAT* is a genius life hack.

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Neakhanie@reddit

Could also use the old Motown number (area code) plus 234-5789.

[Beechwood 4-5789.]

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Adolph_OliverNipples@reddit

You just sent me down a rabbit hole. I thought you meant “634-5789”, and it turns out they were two different songs.

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Neakhanie@reddit

They were different? OMG!I thought they were the same because someone else covered it! Going to go down the same rabbit hole to get to the bottom of this mystery !

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SandyHillstone@reddit

Jenny, don't change your number.

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Solo_is_dead@reddit

Also Prince 777-9311

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Admirable-Currency89@reddit

That was The Time

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Solo_is_dead@reddit

Written and produced by Prince.

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highnumber@reddit

I think he also played all the instruments and recorded guide vocals for Morris Day to follow.

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Admirable-Currency89@reddit

I'm not dissing Prince. I've loved Prince since I was 13 when 1999 came out. I know he was generous, gave people songs, played instruments...but he would never be "That's my song, The Time had nothing to do with it".

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highnumber@reddit

I'm not saying no credit for them, just that it's not unreasonable to offhandedly call it Prince's song. I love Prince and the Time

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Admirable-Currency89@reddit

Sure. But give credit to The Time as well

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wookiesssss@reddit

do it all the time. I gave once at a CVS and the kid asked for the name on the account. When I said "Jenny" and he said "yep," it took all my willpower not to crack up.

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GeekDad732@reddit

Hmmm last name Jenny too it is Jenny Jenny lmao

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Living_Guess_2845@reddit

I've done both but so many others also use them that you gamble on being the one to collect when the threshold is reached. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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DaddyOhMy@reddit

I've had two recent funny experiences using this for rewards.

A couple of months ago the guy behind me cracked up when he heard it but the woman checking me out was too young to understand why he found it so funny.

And more recently the woman at the register told me she'd only let it go through if I sang the number with her.

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Throttlechopper@reddit

Introvert life hack: Use self check-out to avoid the small talk and possibly leave the store faster.

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Repulsive-Friend-619@reddit

Or use staffed checkout lanes so people can have jobs.

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Throttlechopper@reddit

Are you against automated toll booths and ATMs as well?

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Repulsive-Friend-619@reddit

I’m not against anything. But everything being automated takes away jobs. I appreciate the option.

You overly sensitive about anything else?

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Throttlechopper@reddit

Not overly sensitive about anything really other than animal abuse, you on the other hand think you’re saving jobs when in reality it leads to increased wait times for folks with fewer items and increased consumer costs.

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iamrava@reddit

as an audhd individual… i definitely prefer the cheaper food, quicker exits, and less social interaction at self checkout.

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_Silent_Android_@reddit

As an ambivert, I already do this about 50% of the time.

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BigOleKoala@reddit

I was on a road trip & got a free coffee for using Jenny's # w/my area code. Thanks Jenny!

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_Silent_Android_@reddit

CASHIER: Are you Jenny?

ME: No

CASHIER: Does she know you?

ME: She don't know me but she makes me so happy.

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Infamous-Yak2864@reddit

I also use Klondike-5...it works great whenever I time travel back to the 1950s...

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Prudent_Baker_2851@reddit

Most of the younger people working behind the register have no idea what makes those digits significant.

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Responsible-Draft430@reddit

I wonder what sort of rewards points the "owner" of that phone number is racking up.

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HighSeasArchivist@reddit

If you find one that works you can just use it by entering the phone number.

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general-illness@reddit

But it only works if you sing it out loud while doing it.

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JennkozOC@reddit

I’m so GenX I still have a landline. I use that number which goes to an overfilled message box. It’s also there for emergencies- never happened

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Disastrous-Food-9223@reddit

I go with 202-456-1414. It’s the White House switchboard

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notmyname_7737@reddit

If any of these programs or anything inconsequential that needs a birthdate. I use August 1st, 1981. The day that MTV launched.

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VecchioDiM3rd1955@reddit

Being a Linux gui I use 01/01/1970. Once I triggered a bug on the data entry mask.

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Why_so_glum_chum@reddit

But do you sing Video killed the radio star afterwards?

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notmyname_7737@reddit

I actually sing the Barenaked Ladies song “I Live with it Everyday” where it starts with Steve singing the date that he cycled to Scott’s house.

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EquivalentStart2595@reddit

thank you for this hack!!

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SaucyFingers@reddit

Yeah, I use that trick at my local grocery store and the receipt shows YTD Saved. It was $80,000 last time I checked lol. There must be thousands of people using that trick.

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Snapperhead199@reddit

I’ve tried this at several stores when traveling. It’s worked every single time.

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b5wolf@reddit

I have an old phone number and an email set up exclusively for these places. I just go in once a month and mass delete. If I do want the offer, its still there and searchable. I also have 3 other emails, one for Friends and Family, one for Professional and Medical and the last is for Bills and Financial. It just keeps my life simpler.

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Bright_Broccoli1844@reddit

I do have a separate email for my job search and work crap. I like how you separate yours out.

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Status-Effort-9380@reddit

I used to use that but unfortunately now they have the text confirmation on a lot of these access emails.

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Affectionate-Map2583@reddit

I just use my mom's number. She signs up for all that crap.

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schwelvis@reddit

I do that as well on occasion (my mom, not yours!)

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ST0IC_@reddit

Yeah, but then I don't think the rewards points to use for cheaper gas.

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schwelvis@reddit

No, just watch the rewards value when you fill up. Just received .30/gallon discount at Safeway a few weeks ago with Jenny.

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Why_so_glum_chum@reddit

But Jenny gets all the good deals then

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schwelvis@reddit

I recently got .30/gallon discount on gas at Safeway via Jenny!

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schwelvis@reddit

You can also use informational at most locations

Area code + 555-1212

Check the rewards balances, I recently received .30/gallon gas discount at Safeway using Jenny.

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Kajzi@reddit

I recently did this at the store I work at.

Two popped up: one with the name Jenny and the other was Jessie's Girl.

Gave me a nice chuckle.

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DogsAreOurFriends@reddit

You usually can just ask the cashier to use the store's card.

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Ok_Industry3016@reddit

For sure, tons of spam numbers and emails out there. Use them.

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diamondgreene@reddit

This all PMO. The jewel offers discounts t if you use the app but the store wifi never works. Now I just walk in. Get my RX and leave. They do have an awesome pharmacy and I used to walk through and grab somE groceries when I was there but I kinda cut any and all impulse purchases- like a bag of potatoes and a tub of sour cream- that sort of impulses.

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VixxSynn@reddit

Jenny already used her number at most of my local places. I just give them my google phone number now. It catches 99 percent of crap.

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PepsiOfWrath@reddit

I use my parents number, they signed up for EVERYTHING and never answer the landline anyway or use the rewards. I have a throwaway email for apps that give rewards.

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Standard-Cockroach64@reddit (OP)

The trick with this is that it's more likely that someone has already signed up using this fake number rather than your parents.

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Changoleo@reddit

Hell, someone may have already signed up with your number as their fake number. Have you tried giving them your own number?

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SacriliciousQ@reddit

I tried my MIL's landline number yesterday at CVS when their new system wouldn't give me my prescription without having an ExtraCare account. It worked.

I was about to walk out and transfer my script elsewhere. Assuming there are any companies left that don't require an app on your phone, their web cam hooked up in your bedroom, and a direct line to your prostate just to do business with you.

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HeyThereItsKK@reddit

I used to resist the rewards programs and apps, but now I have enough points across all my food apps I could eat free for at least a week! When I order in person at Jersey Mikes and they ask if I want to use my points and get my sandwich for free. I always decline and to say I'm saving my points - that's my retirement plan!

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