Keep a cheap corded phone plugged in somewhere. Kids need to see the actual hardware. Show them the curly cord and the wall jack. It clicks when they see it all connected.

Totally feel this lol. Got a raise last year and immediately upgraded my apartment, now the car payment feels huge. You start living right at the edge of that new paycheck and the idea of a lower stress job seems impossible because you'd have to sell everything. It's a wild trap to fall into.

Oh man, the oil trick is the worst. Sounds like your neighbor owes you a roll of paper towels.