u/Upbeat_Garbage1398

I am getting old (45F) and now my up-close reading vision is going bad.

I have had regular glasses for distance vision since childhood.

I don't really want progressives or multi focal lenses. I particularly worry about going down stairs, as I already have a balance problem.

I was thinking about getting single-vision contact lenses for distance, then just getting dollar-store reading glasses.

Is that a stupid idea?

I have an extra full gallon of 1% milk dated May 13th. Today is May 18th. I have asked the people I know, and nobody wants it. I still have a full half-gallon of Skim.

Anyway...I have seen suggestions on here to make homemade yogurt!! I have never been brave enough to try it yet, but I want to this time. I do have a crock pot.

I have an individual cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt that I can add as a starter. But I don't have any cheesecloth to strain it. Does it matter if I start with Greek but don't end up straining it?

Does it matter that the milk is outdated? Will the yogurt just not stay fresh as long?

Can I add vanilla extract? At what point in the process?

Any other tips for a first-time yogurt maker would be appreciated!

I feel like I am addicted to fast food/food outside my home (including convenience stores, bakeries...not just fast food)

I have a limited budget. Often I will be thinking in my head what unhealthy food I can buy with the money I have. Rather than just saving the money.

Most of the time, I have plenty of food at home. This morning, I had some frozen egg bites that reheat in 60 seconds, and some leftover french toast. But...no. I stopped "on my way" and got 2 donuts.

I am already thinking about whether I have enough money left to get ice cream tomorrow after an appointment with my psychiatrist!!

And right this moment, I am typing this post while sitting in the line for the food bank. Yes, I am low-income, and I qualify. But if I didn't blow so much of my budget on unhealthy food, I wouldn't need this. And I am *looking forward to* the sweets and stale bakery goods...that I really shouldn't be eating.

How do I break this cycle? It's like my mind is conditioned to want food when I'm not home. I've tried packing snacks, and it doesn't help. I *CRAVE* unhealthy food.

I don't currently have a FitBit, but I recently got an email that the FitBit app is going away, and everything will go through Google Fit. Is that correct?

I also understand that the Weight Watchers app doesn't sync with Google Fit. Is that correct?

I was planning to buy a new FitBit in July with my FSA/OTC allowance. But will I not be able to connect it to WW?

I am on Android (cheap Samsung).

I tried asking the 24/7 WW bot, but it didn't understand my question.

The balance was only $500. But the point is, I kept using that card when I really shouldn't have. I never should have applied for the card to begin with. But at US Bank, you have to have a "package" of checking, savings, and credit, or there's fees.

My sister is my Representative Payee for my SSDI Disability. I really should *never* have access to credit. We are taking steps to prevent this if I have another manic episode or just stupidity. Currently put a credit freeze via postal mail instead of online, it should be harder to un-freeze.

But anyway...one less accout that I can use to overspend!!

I moved my checking account to a free one at a local credit union. Current balance is $2.07 LOL!

Am I correct that the Samidorphin in Lybalvi means we are not allowed to use any form of Opiates?

Am I also correct that with Lithium, and many other meds, we are not allowed to take any form of NSAID's?

So...basically our only option for pain is Tylenol?

I recently had severe tooth pain, and this was a problem. I see my psychiatrist soon, and I'm considering asking for just plain old Olanzapine instead of Lybalvi. I haven't honestly noticed any difference in appetite or weight with the Lybalvi.

I had a molar extracted after severe tooth pain.

So of course I need to eat soft foods for the next few days.

Nearly everything on the lists is high carb/high sugar.

I know I can have Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and protein shakes.

What else?

I know there's sugar free jello...but I am HUNGRY and need nutrients!!

I have been eating bananas, applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, canned vegetables (blech!) and mashed potatoes. (the reason for canned vegetables vs. frozen is that they are mushy. Which is also why they're disgusting!)

EDIT: Thank you for all the advice! It seems to be healing well, and I really don't want to mess it up.

After this, and my colonoscopy in January...I never want to even LOOK at Jell-o gel or pudding EVER AGAIN!! LOL!

My (45f) therapist is challenging me to get out and socialize and make some actual friends. Not internet friends, not romance, but just a good friend.

He suggested Meetup (.com)

I found some events that sound fun...but one is at a restaurant, another I have to pay $10 to play Bunco...etc.

How is a broke person supposed to be able to socialize?

The other facet to this, is: can I afford to be friends with these people who have more money than I do?

I take 75mcg of Levothyroxine. I have always been advised to take it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, at least 30-60 minutes before eating or taking other meds. (and I do have other meds)

I was under the impression that it is "better" to wait the full hour.

But is it still "good enough" to just do 30 minutes?

I don't have a job (disability) but I just end up wasting my mornings waiting a whole hour.

I've been dealing with a toothache for over a week now. Been through a lot of runaround with different dentists and with my insurance.

The Endodontist I saw today (just a consultation that cost me $235!) says the x-rays make him believe that the tooth is probably cracked. And if he starts the root canal, and then it's cracked, it would be a problem.

I'm also extremely broke. An extraction is covered 100% by my dental insurance. A root canal is covered, but there will be my portion, I don't know the amount but not cheap. I know for sure I have NO coverage for implants.

My main question: what will happen when I lose my main chewing tooth? I naturally chew on the right side of my mouth. This tooth is the back, right, bottom tooth. I'm trying to chew on the left because of the pain, and it's weird.

Should I try the root canal, only to end up with an extraction anyway? And stuck with the bill.

I'm trying to decide if I should contact maintenance, or if it's not worth the hassle.

When I moved in this past July, there was a hornet's nest on the upper right corner of my 3rd floor balcony. They sent a maintenance guy, who knocked it down. That was it.

Now, it's that season again. I was sitting on my balcony enjoying the fresh air, and there was a hornet following me around. Then I saw it climb into a hole on the wall.

There are now 3 different very small nests forming, one in the same spot as the bigger one last year, another on the interior corner that I saw it climb into, and another on the upper left.

What will they even do about it? Just knock down what's visible?

Is there anything I can do about it myself?

I have a very painful TOOTHACHE!! It hurts to chew, in the exact spot where I normally chew.

I couldn't get an appointment for the root canal for 10 days. And, because of health conditions, all I can use for pain are Tylenol and Orajel. Neither of which seem to be helpful.

I am noticing that I can now tell the difference between ACTUAL physical hunger...and all the many other stupid reasons why I eat.

I've already lost 2.4 pounds!

Without it boiling over, or sticking to the pan?!

I'm on a soft-foods diet due to dental issues. I'm struggling to get enough protein. So I've tried cooking oatmeal with Fairlife milk instead of water.

But...I have struggled with this even using water, not milk.

It boils over even when I'm watching it, stove or microwave.

Yesterday I tried a larger pot on the stove...and it burned to the bottom of the pan, possibly ruining the pan!!

Am I just an idiot? Cooking oatmeal shouldn't be so hard!

I have to wait 10 days for a root canal, after already waiting the weekend with pain.

Because of other medications, I am not supposed to take any NSAID's or opiates. I just left a voicemail with my psychiatrist to see if she can OK ibuprofen, but I'm not sure.

Dentist was no help, but did say Orajel really wouldn't help. He did prescribe Amoxicillin for the infection, but said it won't reach the inside of the tooth.

It's sensitive to cold and heat, so an ice pack won't help.

Is Tylenol really my only option?

TL;DR: what are all of the things I should consider about selling my car and riding the bus/train?

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My car (2016 Kia Optima) is currently with my BIL to be fixed. Probably just the starter, but this car has given me a lot of grief the 4 years I've owned it.

His suggestion is to patch it up and do the bare minimum...and sell it now, while it's still running and in general good shape. Rather than waiting until it's dead.

It has a branded title because of hail damage before I bought it, that's how I got a "good deal." But that also means the most I will get out of it is $5,000-$6,000.

I can't afford any monthly payments at all, and my credit is horrible anyway. I do have some savings leftover from my Mom's inheritance, but that is long-term savings, I really don't want to touch it.

So, basically....I can only afford a $5,000 car.

Any car in that price range will be just as bad as mine!

I do live in an area with decent public transportation.

I am not working, live alone, and on SSDI for a mental illness.

All of my doctors/therapists are on a bus route.

I am walking distance to the library, gym, and my dentist.

I have a BOOST membership at my grocery store that gets me free delivery (but I need to tip).

There is a bus stop literally outside my apartment's leasing office, and it's a very short ride to the nearby commuter rail station, which of course is a hub for other bus routes, and I can ride the train throughout the area.

Since I'm on disability, I have a discount rate.

I am currently paying $113/month for car insurance, plus at least $25/week for gas (god knows how much now!) and then a lot of maintenance and repairs.

It all seems like it would be a great idea to just sell my car and ride the bus!!

MY CONCERNS:

- I don't walk very fast, so crossing busy streets is difficult

- What about bad weather, walking in the snow, waiting in the rain, heat in the summer

- Can't go on road trips (but my adult child has a reliable car and often my trips are with them)

- Just generally feeling stuck at home

To add: my adult child lives with their father about 35 miles away. They are close to train stations.

I have a sister who lives like 5 miles away from me! But I don't want to become a burden always bumming a ride.

I also realized there's a latino market very close by. I could buy all my produce there, and other stuff.

The topic of my in-person meeting yesterday was breakfast.

I really feel like when I have a good "healthy" breakfast, it just makes me feel MORE hungry! Vs. when I just have coffee.

I also end up spending points on breakfast that could have been used later.

This morning, I ate a very balanced breakfast with fiber & protein, and now I'm STARVING and it's nowhere near lunchtime yet.

Do you eat breakfast?

My car broke down. I have a free membership to my Kroger affiliate's BOOST program which gives me "free" delivery. But I never use it because I can't afford to tip. I am someone who barely doesn't qualify for food stamps, but occasionally visits the food bank. But that is not the shopper's problem.

I'm having car trouble. A grocery delivery would be so wonderful.

I live on the 3rd floor ALL the way down a long hallway. There is an elevator, but it's a long walk. It's also hard to explain how to get to my building entrance around back.

Instead of asking them to bring it to my apartment, if I just meet them right at the curb/street, with my wagon to put everything in, and I'm the one bringing the groceries inside, and I don't get bottled water...

How much should I tip?

I have been using the Phillips Dreamwear full-face mask, the one with a flat front and the hose on top of the head.

I briefly tried the F40 but returned it within the free exchange window.

I'm at a point where insurance won't pay for a different mask, so this will be 100% out-of-pocket, and I'm broke.

I'm considering a nasal mask with a chin strap.

I am a stomach sleeper, and a mouth breather. I also have seasonal allergies and often have a runny/stuffy/bloody nose.

I can search masks online, but I feel like users are more aware of your experiences.

Any suggestions?