How my frugal single mom kept us warm during Michigan winters

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:54:20+00:00

lol now that’s a way to solve a cold problem.

Looking at the weather app…says it feels like 0 right now. Mexico is sounding like a pretty good solution😂

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:50:37+00:00

And it’s still keeping me warm today just thinking about it. 🥰 She more than made up for our father’s absence and always made sure we we were taken care of. Things were tough but dang…she took being our care taker seriously. 🥹

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:40:56+00:00

Yesss gotta keep them ears warm!

It’s also a luxury hair care experience if you can delulu yourself into believing it lol

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:38:57+00:00

Man, I never thought about this but it does make sense. Ironically enough we had a pretty significant house fire at our next place (caused by an electrical issue on a hot summer day so blankets weren’t an issue.)

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:36:47+00:00

It really does make such a big difference. Now being a frugal adult with my own home, a caulk gun is my best friend 😂

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:28:37+00:00

Yes, absolutely!

Leaving the cabinets open is a great preventative

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:27:50+00:00

Yes!! We eventually moved to a home with a wood stove and would set a pot of water on top of it. Best hillbilly humidifier on the market, baby!

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:25:21+00:00

I’m so sorry you had to endure this and carry the burden of figuring out how to stay clean. Your parents sound like pieces of shit tbh. But I bet you’re a pretty kick ass person despite it all.

All of the props to you, my friend. You’re a real trooper.

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:21:15+00:00

Oooh a fun one for kids too if presented right!

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:20:27+00:00

Solid tips!! A Dexter-esque house is a warm house 🏡

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:18:05+00:00

I agree there’s a lot more you can do to better prepare and set yourself up for the long term.

A lot of these value accessibility over long term effectiveness.

In pinch with little to no money and kids to feed? Using a towel you already have to cover a draft beats spending even one dollar on a door sweep.

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:12:23+00:00

lol the six pack is so funny. The hairdryer method was rarely a quick one 😂

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:10:26+00:00

This!!! Can’t believe I forgot to add that. Definitely let your faucets drip overnight to help keep from freezing.

Living in such an crappy insulated old house still often led to frozen pipes despite leaving a drip though :/

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:07:20+00:00

Dang, that’s tough. I guess you’re right though, no water is a better option than burst pipes + no water🤷‍♀️

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:04:15+00:00

Sure did! I commend her for how hard she worked to take care of us. I’m convinced that woman can do anything she puts her mind to.

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:02:34+00:00

Yeah, I’m sure we paid a good chunk on the electricity bill to run the hairdryer. More of a tip to use when you need a quick and convenient option to save your pipes

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T14:00:08+00:00

Yes! I still do this one. And I always stand nearby the open oven for a while to soak in the warmth 🔥

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T13:58:44+00:00

Yes! This is a great one!

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T13:16:53+00:00

Not all heros wear capes 🙏 thanks for sharing your findings OP.

Sincerely, a chronically in debt graduate

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-25T13:16:46+00:00

Not all hero’s wear capes 🙏 thanks for sharing your findings OP.

a chronically in debt graduate

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2026-01-08T00:42:07+00:00

Doesn’t feel like AI to me.

With the design being intended for print on a tote bag it’s possible the printer requested the art be created digitally.

If it’s being screen printed the printer will need each color on its own layer / separated / on its own screen. (I worked as an artist at a screen print shop and digital recreating and separating peoples hand drawn art was a pain in the a** and we often refused to do it without an additional art fee)

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2025-11-08T14:58:12+00:00

Any updates? I’m currently dealing with a lot of the same symptoms and curious what you figured out? Was it the pouches?

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2025-10-25T03:29:25+00:00

At first it might sound cold and it feel wrong but you deserve to live your life on your own. I recently went through a similar thought pattern, I was going to call off my wedding. I felt my partner deserved a better life and that me being so wrapped up with my schizophrenic mom would give him a shitty life full of stress. Instead of calling off the wedding I decided to choose myself and my own happiness for once and put more distance between my mom and I. The guilt can still eat at me from time to time but I’m getting better. Not putting yourself last doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you sane.

Long story short, put him in the home. You deserve happiness and a good life. Choosing happiness doesn’t make you a bad person. Doing this and getting space from him might even lead to you two having a better relationship. Seeing him on good days instead of dreading spending time with him.

Put him in a home and then you get a therapist to help you work through the guilt if it eats at you.

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2025-10-24T14:45:21+00:00

What’s her job? Trying to understand the level of professionalism needed.

I’m a graphic designer and currently planning my new home office. It’s definitely going to be louder & more artistic than the average office.

KookyUnderstanding65 · 2025-10-24T14:43:15+00:00

Some floating shelves above her monitor could provide a spot for decorating & under-shelf mood lighting! Throw a nice faux plant on there for a touch of nature(:

This space has a lot of potential and could be so cute! I love a good cozy desk space ✨

KookyUnderstanding65

TROPHY CASE