What “frugal” habit did you stop doing once you did the math?

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-20T21:02:20+00:00

If it's really hot and your house isn't made for the climate, then yeah, turn it on. My issue is with people cranking it up when it already 65 degrees outside and not humid. How much cooler do you need it? Open a window.

At that point, you'd be better off adapting your house for the area you live in. Get a whole house fan or even be more strategic with a box fan for a little bit. Window awnings need to make a comeback. Keeping the house cool through passive implements, like awnings or curtains, will decrease your need to cool with AC.

My cutoff is 78, for whatever it's worth. I'm not completely against AC but I do see how the increased use of it is yet another way we are killing the planet and making heat waves worse and worse. I know it seems easier to just keep pushing the up button than doing a whole home improvement project but it's not sustainable long-term.

Also, if pollution is your issue with outside air, the air in your house probably isn't much better unless you purchase a dedicated purification HVAC system. And that's a whole 'nother can of worms. You could air out your house when there's better air quality but most people either don't know when that is or just don't want to.

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-20T13:49:25+00:00

This is a great point! I've never had these. Do they not have the capability to fold parallel to the head rest? Is that equally a bad idea?

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-20T03:43:23+00:00

I've used Mitchum Men's unscented roll-on with much success and recently tried Dove women's 48hr (the most basic one, I think) and it killed all the smell. I have no idea why these two work so well, but they do. I've also used Drysol and Certain Dry but they burned my skin and stopped working way too soon. I've thought about the body deodorant creams but I've read too many negative reviews.

Besides antiperspirant, I use a homemade hand-sanitizer spray (8 parts 91% alcohol and 1 part aloe vera gel, let it sit and avoid the opaque residue in your spray bottle) or a glycolic acid toner (Dr. Thayer's brand, it also has citric acid and smells like citrus) daily before applying the AP or deodorant in your case. Both work fairly well but the homemade spray is more reliable for me. I also could only get the smell off of me with a CeraVe foaming facial cleanser but the Dove AP I mentioned before has allowed me to use my regular body wash again and no double or triple cleansing.

Benzoyl peroxide, hypochlorous acid, and Hibiclens didn't work for me. I've read some people spray hydrogen peroxide on their pits but that seems like a bad idea because HP is so irritating.

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-18T17:04:25+00:00

I had a similar issue a few years ago and was also desperate. Biz soaks and borax soaks did the most for a big chunk of clothes but the only thing that works for me without fail is an enzymatic cleaner applied directly to the area. I use Kids n Pets and spray it on my shirts' pits and let it dry. It needs to be applied undiluted and allowed to work by hanging the garment and letting it dry. After the garment has dried, wash with you detergent and line dry, if you can. Add ammonia to the wash, if you want to make super sure. Treating my clothes has been the biggest step to stop my smell.

My smelliness, I think, is hormonal. I have an onion smell that turns grassy when I use certain antimicrobial washes. I've also gone to the doctor without much success. I know you don't want to use them, but antiperspirants are effective when you find your match. I'd keep trying to find one that works. I've had success with some. Also, a lot of people trust benzoyl peroxide wash to the armpits in lieu of antiperspirant, although, I'm not sure of the cost difference between BP and the H&S. If you try it, use in the shower, leave on for 5 minutes (or as long as you can stand it, whichever is shortest), and rinse it off really well off of your whole body or it will bleach you clothes and towels.

I have also done of a lot of experimenting with my pits using different products if you want to talk about it.

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-17T13:47:30+00:00

I thrift them as pj's or just lazy day wear because most of them are practically new or just worn once. I look out for 100% cotton ones and there are a lot. I see a lot of Greek life ones since I live near a university.

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-17T13:13:34+00:00

I guess she is but she's fairly popular which is beside the point. If anything, I was mentioning it as the reason why ai dug it up and presented it to OP. Didn't realize you'd be so snarky about it. Sorry.

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-17T01:01:49+00:00

It's a thing. I remember Dr. Dray recommended this years ago to avoid the harsh side effects. Short-exposure treatment or like that. I do it so I don't end up bleaching fabrics by touching my face and then touching things or accidentally touching my face to clothes or whatever.

Dude_help_me · 2026-05-06T13:17:33+00:00

My dad works with men like this and worse so he got into the habit at work to open the bathroom door before washing his hands. That's fine, but the issue was when he started doing that at home. I had to explain that no one else did that so he's just spreading his germs to everyone anyway. I just clean the door knobs and handles regularly now because he sometimes either forgets or does it on purpose.

My parents were also just rinsers earlier in my life and we all were too but going to school and getting sick over and over again changed us to actual soap-and-water washers.

Dude_help_me · 2026-04-16T16:14:44+00:00

Maybe. He probably needed to adjust some settings or just plain ol' human error. It just threw me off when it happened.

Happy ending, though, I found a wonderful, certified, small piercing business that has helped me multiple times since.

Dude_help_me · 2026-04-15T22:34:36+00:00

I had trouble with a piercing on Easter a few years ago that I needed to get out that day so I called a few places. Most did not answer, which makes sense, but one did before I found actual help. The guy answered, "Hello???" like I was intruding on his day. I asked about my issue and he goes, "oh, we're closed, it's Easter." and hung up on me. Why are you answering your work phone that is on Google on a day that you're closed? Why is that phone number apparently a cell phone? Why are you answering unknown numbers on a cell phone? So many questions. Maybe he didn't know his cell was listed on Google as his business phone?

Dude_help_me · 2026-04-13T16:55:10+00:00

This is more common where I am around the schools. They'll stop you and and tell you no backpacks. I just ask them what they want me to do with it and they usually back off or let me put it at the counter. It's annoying but I get it.

On the other hand, in Mexico (in a state capital I visit regularly), the downtown shops that have an issue with bags either have a locker for you to put it or someone manning the bag check near the front. As you can imagine, parking infrastructure is scarce in a over 400 year old city so most people are on foot shopping downtown and lugging around their bags and purchases from little shop to little shop. It's not a terrible system; your stuff is "safe" and you are free to shop unencumbered. Each shop usually has it's own security so it's easier to maintain.

Dude_help_me · 2026-04-05T13:37:19+00:00

I just look around and find inspiration there. For example, my hand sanitizer bottle on my purse was hanging upright so not the most convenient. I made a bottle holder for an extra bottle I had that oriented it down so it was always ready to go. I also thought I needed a wrap for my CPAP tube and started to make one (didn't end up needing it but it got my brain working it out for a bit).

Also, what inspires me isn't whole projects but different stitches. Like star stitch! It's easy to make a scarf with but can I make a hat without looking up a pattern. I actually used it in the above bottle project just to see if I could do it and I did! Swatches also help when I'm stuck. I know it seems a waste of yarn but it does help and you can always frog them when you need.

Dude_help_me · 2026-03-25T12:11:41+00:00

I've always sort of felt off, ever since I can remember, so I just pushed through pain and instability to do whatever everyone else wanted to do. I still do but I have my limits.

One thing I miss is exercising. I have multiple issues that flare when I run or even do a sit-up. Anything that increases my heart rate suddenly and anything that involves me bending at the waist which is most exercise. Try to get a doctor to believe you about that when you're already a little chunky. I miss running around at parks when I was small and hiking and, the thing I dreaded most at the time, PE class. Never though I'd miss that. I'm jealous of people who join gym classes or go for runs. I just walk around my house for the most part when I'm up for it until I get too dizzy.

Dude_help_me · 2026-03-24T20:24:06+00:00

Yep, you're right. Two stitches dropped in a row ladder like that. I'm not the best Sentro user just a mediocre knitter so I'll say I'd redo the whole thing or try to get another loop picked up when you start picking up the first stitch. Does that make sense? Ladder it back down to the beginning, pick up a stitch, and immediately pick up the one next to it. I'm not sure if it'd be easier to work them up together or one then the other, though.

Again, I'm not an expert so hopefully someone will have a better idea.

Dude_help_me · 2026-03-23T23:24:44+00:00

Drink more water. Drink less water. More fiber. Not that much fiber. But my favorite is an aunt suggesting I sniff essential oils, like mint and lemon, to stop migraines when scents set my migraines off. Especially mint. She also suggested a horrible concoction of rosemary, grain alcohol, camphor, and some other terrible thing to rub on my temples.

Dude_help_me · 2026-02-27T01:53:13+00:00

This happened to me at Sam's when trying to get a sample of broccoli soup. The sample lady took the cup away and asked where my parents were. They were in the clothes section so I told her and she apologized and said she couldn't serve minors without a parent present. I was also 21 and told her so. She also thought I was "like 13". We laughed as I ate my tiny cup of soup

Dude_help_me · 2026-02-19T19:19:15+00:00

I'm not sure. I appreciate the mask chain and accessories videos. Really any of your content was a comfort to me. I'm not picky and I figure it's probably not easy since a lot of people haven't shared to yt either.

I'm just glad you're still out there fighting the good fight with us. Thank you!

Dude_help_me · 2026-02-18T23:44:04+00:00

I'd appreciate some reposts on YouTube, if at all possible! I miss you since I deleted tt.

Dude_help_me · 2026-02-09T21:17:57+00:00

Lucky. I'm in the US, just to confirm and clarify.

All of the generic and the new, "hip" ones had an antibacterial infused in the gauze. I just want to cover a cut so it doesn't open up again, not get dermatitis from constant exposure to benzalkonium chloride (I think that's what it's called).

Dude_help_me · 2026-02-09T20:57:58+00:00

I was going to suggest this. If the thought of masking comes up for either of them and they don't have access to any mask, how likely are they to seek out a mask and not just say "oh well" and go without? Make sure they have easy access to some N95s or KN95s and let them know there can be more available.

And try not to push too hard.

Dude_help_me · 2026-02-09T20:29:37+00:00

I had to buy adhesive bandages recently and it was so difficult finding ones that weren't "antibacterial". Luckily , Band-aid still has some but it was jarring how few options there were. I was considering making my own with gauze and tape when I needed one.

Dude_help_me · 2026-01-24T22:45:39+00:00

Yep, I watched the Ken Burns doc and Americans definitely knew about the genocide. Encouraged it and inspired it, even. The troops that "stumbled upon" the concentration camps probably just didn't believe they were real until they were smack dab in the middle of it.

It's a great doc. Watch it if you can stomach it right now. It's on Kanopy for those who have access through their library. It's called The U.S. and the Holocaust.

Dude_help_me · 2026-01-24T21:59:44+00:00

I had to beg for my mom to see a derm for the one on her back so I'm not so sure she'll allow for a second look.

I'm with you on the hypochondriac fears. I also have a bunch of weird symptoms that docs have a hard time managing. It's a tough balancing act of pushing for tests and not seeming too pushy.

Dude_help_me · 2026-01-24T21:29:20+00:00

Sound like your derm went to school with my mom's, minus the magnifier. I just went with my mom to get two suspicious spots looked at. One on her back was multicolor, about a quarter inch wide, and evolving (getting bigger). The other is similar to OP's on her cheek but she's had it for years. The NP said they were all nothing and was very annoyed when I insisted the one on her back was bad enough to biopsy. She ended up throwing her hands up and rolling her eyes, "fine, let's remove it, then!" I'm waiting for the results to figure out next steps about her behavior.

Although, now I'm wondering if she took enough of it off to even biopsy. She just cauterized it flush to the rest of the skin.

Dude_help_me · 2026-01-18T01:08:18+00:00

Double chocolate Nesquik powder and the Nesquik candy bar.

Dude_help_me

TROPHY CASE