James O'Brien
Domain specialist and verified guide author at HowToHub.
Articles by James O'Brien
How to Dispose of Cooking Oil
Pouring used cooking oil down the sink feels harmless in the moment, but it's one of the more reliably bad habits in a k...
How to Find Your NHS Number (UK)
You don't technically need your NHS number for most day-to-day healthcare — booking a GP appointment or picking up a pre...
How to Choose a Wedding Venue
A friend once told me she booked her wedding venue after a single visit because "it just felt right," and then spent the...
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies for Good
I once threw out an entire bowl of bananas because I was convinced they were "infected" with something, only to have a f...
How to cancel Duolingo Plus
Duolingo Plus was renamed to Duolingo Super a couple of years ago, but the cancellation process is essentially the same....
How to cancel a free trial before it charges
Free trials convert to paid subscriptions at the end of the trial period — usually automatically, unless you cancel firs...
How to stop a cat from meowing all night
If your cat is waking you up at 4am meowing, you're reading this in a state of exhaustion and quiet desperation. I get i...
How to make homemade dog food safely
If you've been thinking about making your dog's food at home, I want to give you both the upside and the warning. The up...
How to house train a dog in 7 days
If you have a new puppy or adult dog who's having accidents in the house, I want you to know: this is solvable. Almost e...
How to co-parent with a difficult ex
Co-parenting with someone you can barely stand is the worst version of parenting. There's no good advice that makes it e...
How to help a child with anxiety
Anxiety in kids looks different than it does in adults. It can show up as stomachaches before school, refusing to sleep ...
How to get into shape for summer fast
It's the start of summer and you want to look different by July. The internet is full of 'get summer ready in 30 days' p...
How to get abs without going to the gym
If you've been doing 100 crunches a day wondering why your abs aren't showing, here's the part nobody told you: crunches...
How to stop getting out of breath so fast
You’re halfway up a single flight of stairs and your lungs are already screaming. Or you’re chasing your kid around the ...
How to start working out when you are out of shape
You’re standing at the bottom of a mountain. Not a real one—your gym bag is still in the closet, your sneakers are gathe...
How to deal with a debt collector legally
Debt collectors show up uninvited, and suddenly you’re fielding calls that feel like threats. Here’s the truth: you don’...
How to get renters insurance for the first time
So, you’re figuring out how to get renters insurance for the first time—nice! It’s one of those adulting things that sou...
How to get rid of stretch marks naturally
So, you're wondering how to get rid of stretch marks naturally—don���t worry, you’re not alone. These little lines pop u...
How to make your hair grow faster
So, you're wondering how to make your hair grow faster, huh? You’re not alone—most of us have been there, staring at our...
How to do eyebrows at home for beginners
Wondering how to do eyebrows at home for beginners without ending up with a brow disaster? Don’t worry—we’ve all been th...
How to start journaling for mental clarity
How to start journaling for mental clarity isn’t as complicated as it might seem. If you’ve ever felt like your brain’s ...
How to rent a car for the first time
How to rent a car for the first time doesn’t have to be confusing or intimidating. Whether you’re planning a road trip, ...
How to use travel rewards credit cards
Wondering how to use travel rewards credit cards without the headache? You’re not alone—these cards can feel like a secr...
How to create a study schedule that works
How to create a study schedule that works isn’t just about cramming more hours into your day—it’s about working smarter,...
How to learn coding from scratch
You’re about to commit to something that will change how you think—really change it. Learning to code from scratch isn’t...
How to read faster without losing comprehension
So, you wanna know how to read faster without losing comprehension? You’re not alone—most of us wish we could zip throug...
How to stop wasting food every week
How to stop wasting food every week isn’t just about saving money—it’s about making your kitchen work smarter, not harde...
How to reduce sodium in your diet easily
How to reduce sodium in your diet easily doesn’t have to mean bland food or complicated meal prep. If you’ve ever felt b...
How to make bread at home without a machine
How to make bread at home without a machine isn’t as tricky as it sounds—promise! There’s something magical about pullin...
How to meal prep for the week on a budget
The kitchen clock reads 8:17 PM, and the counter is a mosaic of half-chopped onions, a dented pot of rice, and a single ...
How to move to a new city alone
So, you’re thinking about how to move to a new city alone? First off, congrats on taking the leap! It’s exciting but can...
How to cancel YouTube Premium
If you want to stop paying for ad-free videos, learning how to cancel YouTube Premium is a simple process that can be co...
How to cancel Amazon Prime auto renewal
Learning how to cancel Amazon Prime auto renewal is an effective way to stop recurring annual or monthly fees if you no ...
How to start a podcast with no equipment
Learning how to start a podcast with no equipment is the best way to share your ideas with the world without spending mo...
How to invest in index funds for beginners
Index funds are, for most beginner investors, the closest thing the world of investing has to a sensible default. They'r...
How to handle conflict at work professionally
If you are facing tension in the office, understanding how to handle conflict at work professionally is essential for yo...
How to stop being jealous of your friends
If you feel a sting of envy when your peers succeed, learning how to stop being jealous of your friends is critical for ...
How to stop thinking about your ex
If you are constantly distracted by past memories, learning how to stop thinking about your ex is essential for restorin...
How to get better sleep without medication
You know that feeling when you’re exhausted but your brain just won’t shut off? The clock ticks past midnight, then 1 AM...