Jack Hughes

Man, I actually feel your pain on that damaged that model arrival; I've been there with my own collecting mishaps, starting back when I was a kid grabbing whatever issues I could afford, and now it's all about preserving them carefully and... that tear and bent corners sound like classic shipping fails, probably got tossed around too much in transit, and with no word from the seller, I'd escalate it to Amazon's customer service right away – they're pretty reliable for getting you a refund or a new copy if it's available, especially since you've got photos I assume, always snap those as evidence... Humidity's a killer for paper, so if you haven't already, think about investing in some protective bags and maybe a dehumidifier for your storage area, it makes a world of difference in keeping things crisp over time, I learned that the hard way after losing a few to mold spots years ago. As for your $50 budget, it's smart to keep it tight, helps avoid impulse buys that regret later, and maybe look into trading with other collectors online or at meetups to fill gaps without spending much. I tried that once and scored a couple rare ones for cheap, but yeah, always verify authenticity first.

Hey, it's awesome that you're diving into painting as a hobby, even with limited space and being totally new to it. Since you want something that mimics watercolor effects but is easier to handle, acrylic paints are a great choice because you can thin them with water for that watery blend without the hassle of real watercolors drying out too fast. For your budget around $50, I'd suggest the Nicpro acrylic paint set because it comes with 24 vibrant colors that are versatile for different techniques and includes 12 brushes, which makes it super beginner-friendly and space-efficient since everything packs up neatly. When it comes to choosing brushes, go for synthetic ones with soft bristles for those watercolor-like effects; the set has a good mix, including rounds for blending and flats for broader strokes. Just remember to clean them right after use to keep them in shape. One thing is it might not have super detailed instructions, but there are tons of free online tutorials to get you started. For storing, keep the paints in a small box or drawer to save space, and make sure the lids are tight to prevent drying out. Overall, this set should give you a solid start without overwhelming your apartment, and you'll love how the paints blend better than those cheap ones you tried.

Multi cat house here and one serial shover — What fixed it for us was creating a little docking station. We put the dispenser inside a low storage bin that is a few inches larger than the base, then poured pea gravel around the outside of the base inside the bin so the weight holds it in place while the bowl area stays clear. No rocks in the drinking area of course. Slide that station into a corner so there is nowhere to build momentum and keep the bottle topped off. It went from daily wipe ups to dry floor all week.