struggling with tactics

I suck at tactics; I will be the first person to admit that. I think I am getting better though. I "reset" my tactics rating about two months ago? I don't remember, really. I didn't know that when you reset your rating it dropped you back to 400. So, I have been doing this up to my limit for the day (I don't have the $$$ to be anything other than a lowest level member). Anyway, I got my rating up to 552. Good days and bad days - we all have them. I always have difficulty with the first move, but then, if I get it wrong, I can pretty easily succeed in the rest of the puzzle. Do I need a stiff drink before I try my daily tactics, or what?

Always look for Forcing Moves first.

Checks.  Look at ALL Checks, no matter how bad they look.

Captures.  Look at ALL Captures, no matter how bad they look.

Threats.  Look at ALL Threats, no matter how bad they look.

The reason you look at ALL Forcing Moves, no matter how ba they look, is that it forces you to look at the ENTIRE board.

TAKE YOUR TIME!!! DO NOT get caught up in how quickly you solve a tactic.  The whole idea is to learn new patterns, NOT set speed records.

Use a real board, and pieces.

Look for Forcing Moves - Checks, Captures, Threats (In that order)

Aren't puzzles at that level just asking you to capture an undefended piece?

I don't think that's very helpful. Better to get a tactics or mate puzzle book that organizes things by theme. That way it wont seem so arbitrary. And spend 5 to 10 minutes on a puzzle before checking the answer. On chess.com doesn't it motivate you to just make a quick guess? That's also not helpful.

Heisman's back to basics book is good.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-Tactics-ChessCafe-Chess/dp/1888690348

But other than that, yeah, look at checks, captures, and threats like @fisheyedfools says.

Mostly checks and captures in lower puzzles.

If one move order doesn't work, calculate a different move order to see if that wins you any material. Keep calculating captures and checks in different combinations until you win something.

Be sure to look at all of your pieces. Don't miss that there's a bishop hiding in the corner for example. You need to see all of them before you can calculate the captures and checks.

I already told you before but I will say it again. For god sake, spend more time in each puzzle: https://www.chess.com/stats/tactics/jdroli1070 Your average time is too short.

This is very good advice. I have done whole forums on this particular subject.  1. look at ALL checks first--no matter who weird they might look at first glance.

AFTER you do this go to step #2 look at all forcing moves/captures

 Even doing this--it will take you a while to solve some tactics--give yourself time for each tactic.

study tactics first by themes. learn first what s a discovery,pin,decoy etc. study well this link

http://www.chessfornovices.com/whatarechesstactics.html

i suggest you also get tactics puzzle books that arrange tactics by themes. chess tactics for kids by murray or world champions guide to chess are perfect tactics book for you. also when you solve a problem, try as hard as you can at finding the answer.

start with an easy tactic

this one

mate in one

Check out free lessons from beginners to master level on this site (or app), they got a lot of lessons on tactics... it will surely help you

Doing only 5 tactics per day, I would focus more on taking my time and getting them all correct than thinking about the rating. You can also go back and look at which ones you have missed and go through them again. It will help you pinpoint weaknesses in your tactics. For me, I never used to see a smothered mate. I missed it all the time, but they have finally got it into my brain now to look for it. 

! One good way to improve your chess is to learn from your mistakes!  

I have several chess books that I would like to sell. if anyone is interested you can reach me at char2189@yahoo.com and we can tal about price (cheap) and postage. I will send the list of books