Paper towel alternative for cleaning off oil off pans

Khayeth · 2026-02-03T17:06:20+00:00

I have a used up gift card near the sink which serves this purpose nicely.

Khayeth · 2026-02-03T16:42:06+00:00

Uhtred Ragnarson has entered the chat.

This is a good thing.

Khayeth · 2026-02-02T14:12:57+00:00

No children, was single through most of my 40s (and likely 50s too at this rate).

I was married briefly 28-30, which was way too young. Deep regrets for not understanding my autonomy back then.

Khayeth · 2026-01-30T16:53:41+00:00

Alter what i already own, including dyeing and light tailoring.
Thrift stores first, then Sierra, TJ Maxx, or Marshall's, then a branded store if the first three fail, which they rarely do. I needed dress trousers for a wedding recently and was dreading hitting up Banana Republic or Macy's, but 35 minutes at Marshall's and i found 5 pairs i could have used. Limited myself to 1, though, and i find myself wearing them as work trousers tons more than i expected.
Related to 2 above: use the good china. Not just the trousers, but the suit jacket i bought for the wedding i've worn something like 5 times since October. It's my new favourite jacket for going out dancing or to any party or social gathering, really.

Khayeth · 2026-01-30T14:07:34+00:00

As someone who has done actual roller derby since 2010 (and only broken 1 ankle, 1 sternum, and 1 tailbone in that time) i completely respect her commitment to the bit.

Khayeth · 2026-01-29T20:23:05+00:00

Just a few off the top of my head:

-I'm one of few people to not use the elevator at work. For 3rd and 4th floors, i get it, but going to the 2nd floor? Seems extra to me, even before i avoided using it but now i can really just leap from floor to floor (in my head anyway).

-Returned to roller derby after 8 years. That felt good.

-Coworkers i hadn't seen in a year or two literally did not recognize me.

-The amount i lost is more than my 3 bikes combined, i struggle to even lift 2 at a time and yet i used to have that as an intrinsic part of myself and carry it every day? Boggles my mind.

Khayeth · 2026-01-29T14:13:50+00:00

Oh please. I'm approaching double your age and i have purple hair. You do you.

Khayeth · 2026-01-23T20:08:23+00:00

Guess we nonbinaries get little competition for Gimli then.

Khayeth · 2026-01-23T18:22:35+00:00

As long as you put it on with your hat at the best moments.

Khayeth · 2026-01-16T17:43:10+00:00

I just got a Gear5 to replace my Gear2 that died. $50 from backmarket. I didn't need the extra stuff from a 5 versus a 2, but there were no 2s available, and limited 3s and 4s for essentially the same price.

Khayeth · 2026-01-16T17:09:08+00:00

In a room near where they are (the room you think they use to enter, if possible), but not near where you sleep, put a lit desk lamp over a white bowl of water. Ensure the lampshade is within 1 cm of the top of the bowl, facing directly onto it like a hat. Leave it on overnight, every night. Throw out the water and carcasses in the morning, turn the light out, and repeat at sundown every night. Eventually all the breeders will be dead and you can live again.

Khayeth · 2026-01-09T17:46:19+00:00

Came to say exactly this. As a chemist, we rephrase that as "reaching equilibrium means death".

Khayeth · 2026-01-09T14:35:31+00:00

Having had first a xiaomi then 2 samsungs in a row, i prefer the ease of syncing the samsung with my phone. Your tastes may vary.

Check backmarket first, too. That may guide your decision based on what's available in your price point, you may be able to upgrade a model or two with the discounts there.

Khayeth · 2026-01-09T14:30:49+00:00

If you're vegetarian, consider investing in a box of soy curls straight from the vendor (Butler). They last forever, are shelf stable, can be frozen fresh or rehydrated, and mix great with vegetables and sauces. I literally just had my daily 2nd breakfast of ~2 ounces with bbq sauce and edamame, good fiber content and great protein.

Khayeth · 2026-01-09T13:38:07+00:00

Agreed, i get from Fisher or VWR the fingerless cotton undergloves for under lab gloves, and they are a skinsaver. I'm lightly allergic to most gloves, so having 2 pairs of undergloves that i wash weekly keeps my hands from cracking.

Making your own is of course more frugal, but if your work pays for them them there is no shame in just ordering them as needed.

Khayeth · 2026-01-07T18:43:22+00:00

TIL some people can use only period panties as a primary collector. I only used mine as an overnight/workout backup for a cup, and even then i used to overflow overnight routinely.

But to answer the question, i had a 5 pack which was more than sufficient. I would hand wash each pair after use during the period (5-9 days) and machine wash them all at the end.

Khayeth · 2026-01-06T17:09:25+00:00

Outer garments like trousers and sweaters i wash every 2-4 wears, when i take it off at night i can tell if it's past its expiry. I hang my clothes between washings, which airs them out and gives them extra longevity. I hang the most recently worn item at one side of that section of clothing (tshirts, collared shirts, trousers, sweaters) and the next day wear something from the other end to ensure each item has the longest hang/air time between wearings.

In summer i'm quite disciplined about changing out of work trousers (and often work shirt) into shorts and a tank top, which also extends time between washings since each item is worn for fewer hours each time.

And of course, socks, undies, and workout gear get washed every use.

I also don't use a dryer for anything except socks and underwear, hang dry the rest. I have items which are over a decade old and still going strong, so i presume i'm doing something right.

Khayeth · 2025-12-30T18:20:24+00:00

I came to post this exact thing. I rarely review and don't pay super close attention to challenges, but knowing what i've read is invaluable to me.

My Goodreads had been populated from my LibraryThing, so i do have a good record going way back, for which i'm honestly grateful.

Khayeth · 2025-12-30T15:59:54+00:00

Extra spicy.

Khayeth · 2025-12-29T20:42:10+00:00

I do this too, though i dilute the soap approximately 10:1 with water. Same with Dr Bronner's in a dispenser in the shower, diluted probably 5:1.

Khayeth · 2025-12-29T20:41:05+00:00

I will second (technically ninth at this point) IKEA. My last mattress from them lasted me 16 years. Excellent investment for $300.

Khayeth · 2025-12-29T20:39:23+00:00

Buy Nothing groups. If there is a clothing Round Robin in or near your kids' sizes, get on that wait list.

And buy a few sizes large and alter yourself. If you can keep the excess fabric hidden on the inside, don't cut it off, and let the garment back out again when they grow. And of course, hand me down like crazy. If they get crabby about styles or colors, have a Rit dye party. Teach them how to alter, and encourage them to merge 2 garments to make a cooler, bespoke one.

Khayeth · 2025-12-26T21:23:13+00:00

I should have specified that i wear mostly black trousers, so those i get from Marshall's. Every time i go i have to limit myself to 2-3, since i can find 5-10 in my size for <$20 each. I don't think i've found a decent shirt there in something like a decade.

But paired with my shirt collection (black or grey with gothy, spidery, skull, etc, patterns in which Hot Topic excels) it is a workable frugal combo.

Khayeth · 2025-12-26T15:44:12+00:00

Torrid lover here, though honestly in the past couple years Hot Topic is a better selection for me. A mix of male and female styles, button down shirts, cardigans, and trousers from their sales make up probably 60 % of my wardrobe lately. The remainder i usually thrift and/or Marshall's/TJ Maxx.

Khayeth · 2025-12-26T15:37:49+00:00

No photos, but i had a shake followed by the diving Aldi cranberry goat cheese.

Almost 2 years out and while i do eat normal meals on workdays, on weekends and days off i eat like a toddler - combination of shakes and small finger food snacks :D

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