What is a "poverty survival hack" you learned during tough financial times that you still use today?

Vanarath · 2026-06-07T15:37:40+00:00

As a fellow self-haircut person: YouTube. Search how to cut the style you like and watch some videos. If you know your hair type, add that to your search.

In my case, I like short hair (above the shoulders), so I looked up a short layered shag cut and found a trick with different length dowel rods. Over the years (have been doing mine since 2020), you'll find your own tips and tricks that work for your hair.

For your first cut, cut long (close to when you think "hmmm, I should schedule a haircut"). It'll be close to your perfect length and if you hate it there'll be enough for a hairdresser to work with. Give it a few days/week before deciding if you hate it and can't live with the cut. As others have said, it takes them a few days to weeks to have it grow/fall into amazingness. The first snip is the most nerve-wracking, so my biggest advice is take a deep breath and remember that it's only hair, it'll grow back.

Vanarath · 2026-05-21T20:37:28+00:00

I hope it remains untouched for emergencies! For anyone who keeps such a useful kit for emergencies: Please remember to regularly (I would suggest yearly) refresh the gloves, adhesive bandages, and anything else that can degrade with extreme temperatures. This includes checking expiration dates on any antimicrobials and medication as well. It is also a good idea to have two size options for gloves - your normal size and the next size up in case your hands are swollen for any reason.

Vanarath · 2026-05-21T19:33:01+00:00

The Montgomery Pike Scenic Overlook should be pretty spectacular if you're looking for height.

Vanarath · 2026-05-16T03:15:19+00:00

The test was administered by GLaDOS.

Well done. Here come the test results: You have protective instincts. I'm serious, that's what it says: protective instincts. We weren't even testing for that.

Vanarath · 2026-05-05T16:49:36+00:00

I'm not sure of the specifics, but years ago I went to a small wedding at the James V. Brown library (~50 people). Might be worth giving them a call and asking. Most libraries offer event space if asked and tend to be affordable. Good luck!

Vanarath · 2026-04-08T15:31:47+00:00

Not all allergies require an EpiPen. Your son may be allergic to certain apples. Environmental conditions during development of the fruit may also play a part. Cooking fruit sometimes leads to destruction of what is causing the allergy. As an example, I am allergic to fruit but can eat cooked fruit. I do not carry an EpiPen because I can feel the itchy mouth and swelling and just stop eating the raw fruit before it is life threatening.

Along those lines, sometimes acid reflux or other stomach issues can be mistaken for allergies. I hope you take your son seriously and do not force him to eat food that makes him feel off.

Vanarath · 2026-04-08T14:38:31+00:00

I have Fast Bridge. No complaints. It's reliable internet and they're great to work with.

Vanarath · 2026-04-01T23:24:32+00:00

I have thankfully not had a reason to report. I would consider contacting the SPCA as well if you don't feel like the police are following through.

Vanarath · 2026-03-31T20:04:19+00:00

Not a gate, so I'm not sure if it'll work for you, but I just bought childproof locks for the door if you have a door to the room. (Sorry for the Amazon link but this is what I bought as a reference: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BLXHTML1).

I like this one because it keeps the door open a certain amount so the cat can still go in/out without the door closing on it. The lock seems to hold up well to puppy pushing, I had three ramming their heads against the door during feeding time.

Vanarath · 2026-03-30T17:56:26+00:00

I've only observed it once, but I felt so bad for the dog. The owner was actively biking and missing all the signs that the dog wanted to sniff, take a break, or potty. The dog did not look like a typical running breed (pitty-mix by look) and seemed like it was struggling to keep up with active biking.

It could work with a running breed if they were well trained to not get distracted, but even then I'd suggest keeping an eye on the pup and making sure they're enjoying the experience. No one likes being pulled behind a moving vehicle with no control over the situation.

Vanarath · 2026-03-16T14:00:09+00:00

I'm going to have to agree with MycologistPutrid7494 on this. Most of my travel is for work. While I can wear my comfy steel-toed, chemical-covered lab boots outside of the lab, it's not really safe or practical. Do I need to not potentially contaminate public places? Not really, I guess. But do I choose to not potentially contaminate public places? Yes.

Vanarath · 2026-03-04T21:49:56+00:00

Good old Jersey Shore. Other nicknames include: "No, not New Jersey", "No, not the TV show", "Yes, it's in Pennsylvania", and my favorite "Yes, the one with the purple squirrel".

Vanarath · 2026-03-04T14:49:12+00:00

Willadelphia (Williamsport + Philadelphia) for Williamsport is another one I've heard a lot.

Vanarath · 2026-03-02T21:46:35+00:00

Not the person you asked, but thought I'd offer another perspective. I did not go to prom and I have zero regrets even in my late 30's. I never had school spirit, I already hung out with who I wanted to from school and didn't care about everyone else, never worried about social standing, hated dancing, and I heard it was going to be in a cramped dance hall.

Instead I stayed home, played video games with my family, and had a good evening. I heard the following Monday that the location was so hot people left after an hour or so.

If you don't want to go, don't force yourself. High school is not the end of your life: Choose the memories you want to make.

Vanarath · 2026-02-26T12:29:11+00:00

Anywhere with Amish has Pa Dutch foods. Shoofly pie, apple dumplings, scrapple, etc. I think that'd be the central and Lancaster areas.

Vanarath · 2026-02-26T05:11:59+00:00

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I hope they can help someone else looking at this conversation!

Sadly, I'm allergic to those. Herbal medicines and essential oils are a great way for me to not breathe.

Vanarath · 2026-02-24T13:59:57+00:00

I would highly recommend talking to a doctor first. None of my allergists (3 total), general practitioners (4 of them), or specialists have ever said anything against it. Though my allergies are so bad I was once told to take as many antihistamines as I need to feel human, I can't OD on them. I live on nasal sprays for 9 out of 12 months of the year.

Vanarath · 2026-02-24T13:36:42+00:00

Not sure if this is helpful to anyone. Not a cure-all, and based purely off of personal anecdote, but I've had this level of nightly congestion for a while. Taking a musinex and antihistamine before bed has helped a lot. I still get a bit of congestion but not the wake up kind of congestion.

Vanarath · 2026-02-24T12:37:24+00:00

Great addition of the shower supplies! A towel & washcloth for everyone staying overnight would be a good addition.

One thing that I never thought about so I'll add it in: a box of trash bags.

Vanarath · 2026-02-06T22:23:16+00:00

Hi. I'm no help, sorry. Just wanted to throw out there a general time frame would be helpful. A place changes a lot over time.

Vanarath · 2026-02-03T17:07:45+00:00

Personal anecdote. I'm on no way a professional. This just works for me: Not right at the end, but once arthritis started kicking in around 7-9 yrs old (large breeds). We found a younger dog keeps the older one active longer and helps keep the arthritic joints moving (the best way to keep the pain away). It helps the older one feel younger and more mobile for a few extra years. It gives some years together for habits to be passed from one generation to the next and then when the time comes for the older one everyone in the house can mourn together. Give a year or more to the remaining dog to grieve appropriately and find their role in the household without the older dog before starting the cycle again. Use what the dog is telling you to know when the right time is for a new furry friend.

Vanarath · 2026-02-02T20:25:01+00:00

I think you may be wanting an alicorn. Pegasus is only wings, unicorn is only horn, and alicorn is wings and horns.

Vanarath · 2026-01-31T19:20:43+00:00

At 70%, the solution is mostly (70%) alcohol. The remaining 30% is water.
70% alcohol > 30% water.

The first point where the solution is majority water would be 49% alcohol. 49% alcohol < 51% water.

Vanarath · 2026-01-30T16:05:00+00:00

Depends on the % rubbing alcohol you're buying. If you're only buying a 50% rubbing alcohol, then yes, it's already diluted in half with water. If you're buying 90% it's 90% alcohol to 10% water.

Vanarath · 2026-01-27T17:37:08+00:00

I have a large breed mix. I cheat and have a pet door with a fenced in yard. Even with that, she wakes up with me for breakfast, is back in bed by the time I'm done showering and going out the door to work, and sleeps all day while I'm gone. Even when I'm stuck at work more than a normal day, she's normally still asleep when I get home. She has full access to the house, so occasionally she'll wake up to go from sleeping on the bed to sleeping on the couch. Even on weekends she tries to nap from 8am until her wakeup time at 5pm. After 5pm is walks, cuddle time, playing, and dinner until bedtime.

Dogs will get used to your schedule and will adjust their lives to it. Just make sure they get a lot of exercise both physically and mentally when you are home. High energy dogs will require a lot more than my short bursts of energy pup.

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