Hannah White

I’ve had the best luck switching to “policy” language and the broken-record: “I have a new policy not to lend household items and my parking space needs to stay open,” then repeat it without adding reasons but then keep the interaction short and neutral - stand in the doorway, don’t invite them in, redirect once to a store, then stop engaging. If you ever choose to bend it, label it clearly as a one-time exception with a time limit: “You can use it for 20 minutes while you unload, then I’ll need it free.”

Split it with a purpose. Buy the shoes in cash bump your emergency fund enough to survive the insurance squeeze (say to around $800–$900), and throw the rest at the card today. Once those tight months pass, set a small automatic extra payment to the card so it’s gone quickly without relying on willpower on sleepy Mondays.

Co-signing the urea/lactic tip - if you’re cracked or extra sensitive start on the lower end or use it every other day to avoid stinging. Aim for a fast-absorbing, fragrance-free gel-cream with glycerin plus ceramides/niacinamide, then seal with a thin layer of dimethicone or squalane. Apply within a few minutes of bathing while skin is still damp, and keep showers lukewarm to reduce flaking.

Tubes are a good call. If you want an all-in-one under $20 student sets from Mont Marte or Royal & Langnickel often bundle small tubes with a couple of synthetic brushes, though the brushes are basic but then to slow drying and keep colors vibrant, use a fine-mist spray and a DIY stay-wet palette (damp sponge topped with baking parchment), and aim for primaries like cyan, magenta, and yellow for bright mixes.

Chase sunrise later and and expose for sanity first.