u/Pure-Bunnyx1

I recently realized how much I was spending on services that I could actually do myself with a bit of learning. It started with a small repair around the house and snowballed from there. It feels really empowering to fix things or create things without always relying on someone else.

For example I needed a new bookshelf. I almost bought one online for $150. Instead I watched a few YouTube videos and spent about $40 on wood and hardware. It took me a weekend but I built a pretty decent one. And I learned a new skill.

My car had a minor issue with the lights. The garage quoted me $80 for diagnostics and a simple fix. I found a forum online troubleshooting the exact problem. Ordered a part for $12 and fixed it myself in twenty minutes. It was surprisingly easy.

Even things like cutting my own hair or learning basic baking instead of buying cakes. These small shifts add up. It's not just about the money saved but the satisfaction of doing it yourself. It's like a new hobby that pays you back.

What are some skills you picked up or used to avoid paying someone else and how much did it save you?

I feel like there's some serious potential for a few of these to blow up. Any thoughts or picks out there

Does anyone else get this massive wave of relief when plans get canceled? Like it doesn't matter if it was something I was actually looking forward to doing. Or something I didn't want to do at all. The minute it's off the calendar I just feel this immense sense of freedom and calm. Almost like a weight has been lifted.

I'll spend days hyping myself up for something. Thinking about how I'll be the center of attention or how I'll dominate the conversation. But then the second it's called off, all that energy just drains away and I feel this weird peace. It's not sadness or disappointment. Just pure relief.

Is this just me or does anyone else experience this too? I feel so strange about it sometimes.

I'm always looking for ways to cut down on entertainment costs. It feels like everything fun costs money these days. Dinner out a movie concert tickets it all adds up so fast.

I used to spend a ton on going out with friends. Now I've found a few things that are actually really fun and dont cost much. Like hiking local trails or having board game nights at someone's house. Sometimes we just go to a cool park with snacks and chill.

What are some of your go-to free or super cheap activities that you genuinely enjoy and dont feel like a sacrifice?

My (32f) boyfriend (34m) of three years has a habit of deleting my browser history whenever he uses my laptop or phone. I usually dont mind him using my devices. I often leave them open on the table. It started subtly he would clear the search bar. Then I noticed my history was gone. Every single time he uses my computer or phone my browser history is gone. At first I thought it was a technical glitch or something I was doing wrong. But it has happened too many times now.

I asked him about it once. He just laughed it off and said he was just 'tidying up' or 'clearing cache for better performance'. He never gives a straight answer. It feels really weird and a bit creepy. What could he be hiding that he feels the need to erase my entire history every time he touches my devices?

He has his own laptop and phone so he doesnt need to use mine all the time. He just sometimes grabs mine if it's closer. I feel like he is trying to hide something he is searching for or looking at on my devices. Or maybe he is worried I will see something he doesnt want me to see. It makes me feel like I cant trust him.

I havent confronted him directly about it again since he brushed it off last time. But it's really starting to bother me. It feels like a small thing but it adds up. It makes me question other things too. Is this a red flag I should be worried about? Or am I overthinking this?

Just had my car break down on the side of the road. Flat tire. Easy fix right. Nope. I stood there staring at the spare for like 20 minutes before realizing I had absolutely no idea how to change it. Ended up calling roadside assistance.

It got me thinking. I can intubate a neonate in my sleep. I can diagnose rare zebras based on one lab value. But ask me to do anything practical in the real world and I'm a complete idiot.

My significant other laughs at me all the time because I cant even cook a decent meal. I once tried to hang a picture and put the nail right through a pipe. My entire life is medicine. Everything else is a black hole.

Anyone else relate to this terrifying lack of basic life skills.

For me it has to be the Pavane by Fauré. Every time I hear it I'm transported back to my childhood. It's such a comforting and beautiful melody.

It feels like every new artist interview I read talks about how they're breaking boundaries and blending genres. Don't get me wrong I appreciate innovation but it's becoming a cliche. It also makes it really hard to categorize anything anymore.

Back in the day you knew where an artist fit. You had rock you had pop you had hip hop. Now everything is like 'alternative indie pop folk with electronic influences and a hint of jazz fusion.' It's exhausting. Is this actually pushing music forward or just making everything sound a bit samey after a while? Are we losing the distinct flavor of different genres in the pursuit of being unique?

I just miss finding a band and knowing generally what kind of sound to expect. It feels like every album now is an exploration of a million different things. Sometimes I just want a good straightforward album in a single lane. Am I just getting old or do others feel this way too?