(Part 2) Best products from r/Assistance

Amazon so often only has veryhigh priced versions of things, it's a shame. I'm looking for the styrofoam coolers that are under four bucks each at family Dollar or Walmart all summer. You cut a hole in the side where they can enter.
Something similar to this, but these are more expensive and have weirdly high shippin g -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AU6FB3K/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit- found a set of 24 with free shipping so added them to your list for now so I can search for the rugs I'm talking about then find a video or site to show the structure I'm describing making. :)

Also my local dollar store (the kind where everything is actually one dollar) sells those woven rag rugs in a 15"x21" which can be used to line the underside of the cooler, which you would have upside down outside ... Hard to describe.

Edit- Dollar tree will ship them to your local store free for you to pickup, they're $1 each, minimum order is a case of 48 for $48.
https://www.dollartree.com/striped-rugs-15x21-in/288165 that's the best price.

A hot glue gun can secure it all...

a little more money- $5-6 each or so- they sell Rubbermaid bins you can use instead in the same way. But they don't need to be $25 each by any means.

Edit- you can get a case of eight 18-gallon sized ones at Walmart for $48.67 right now online. They only have purple left. Just to give some examples of more cost effective ways to build more shelters with less money by moving away from Amazon. :)


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-18-Gal-68-L-Tote-Box-Moda-Purple-Case-of-8/880242594?selected=true

What a nice idea :)

Editing in some videos similar to what I mean, and actually even better! You can probably get the straw free somewhere, or a cheap bale anyway, depending on your location.

https://youtu.be/HImeQUDZkro

https://youtu.be/lpW69fNzcjc

Hey! Thanks for doing this!

My name is Benjamin and I’m 15 years old. Me and my family have quite bad money problems and are hanging on by a thread. This means my mum unfortunately can’t treat me with stuff other kids have. I am a big gamer and have a massive passion for it. I love it so much and want to pursue creating game when I’m older. My mum isn’t very lucky, she has been ill for the past few years but she is getting better. 2 years ago the doctors said she most likely won’t survive as she had internal bleeding and she also needed an operation to remove gallstones. Luckily she is alive and she is one of the nicest people you would ever meet. My mum has also had drinking problems and she also nearly drank herself to death.

My mum and dad split up when I was younger and my dad lives in another area and hardly helps my mum with money which is really unfortunate.

As I said, my passion is gaming and the thing I would like most is a gaming keyboard. This is the one I really like

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SteelSeries-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Illumination/dp/B0778Y258Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=steelseries%2Bkeyboard&qid=1555818507&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1&psc=1

It is the Apex M750 TKL.

If I could have this, I would be very grateful. I didn’t get much at Christmas as my mum needs it for rent, food and other things. I know people here probably need it more than me, but if you do pick me, I promise you it would make me really happy.

Thank you again! 🙏 :)

Edit: Why am I getting downvoted?

Mom of severe ADHD boy right here!

It is seriously likely that all of the books on ADHD written with Dr's with their snooty Phd's in the world will not help you. Every ADHD child is super unique. One thing that that I noticed on you list are the teething necklaces on your lists. It appears as though your daughter requires a tactile stimuli via her mouth. My son is the same, he is 12. He has even chewed off his fingernails just to get that stimuli. The one that that I can recommend for that is a hemp knotted necklace; one that is knotted tightly. You can hang any of the fun teething baubles on it and they look less like something for a toddler.

The wobble seats are an either or for a child,. They have little nubby things on them that can become extremely uncomfortable for most people, your little bug included. However they do stimulate blood flow to your bum and may be conducive to a cute(er?) tush. I'm not sure how literate or situationally aware she is, but I've found that their curiosity knows no bounds. As such their minds are doing a bajillion miles a minute and they come up with question after question after question. I've always answered my son in truth, in full, and usually scientifically. Even if it is a question that make you go, "UGH!, or "Please, no!" Also, structure, an enforced schedule, and visual reminders are awesome. I have dreamt of having this and these to write out the weekly schedule so that my son knows exactly what is happening and when.

If I have been any help, I am very glad. If I have not, sorry for wasting your time on the read. If you have anything you want to bounce off of me, or talk about, I'm around, just PM. You will likely have to remind me who you are though.

Also there is an /r/adhd subreddit. Some members are adamant and downright viscious that an ADHD child should not be on any kind of schedule - EVER; I treat them with a grain of salt. Just a friendly FYI.

Goodluck internet stranger and friend.

Just wanted to do a special shout-out on a deal I didn't have this morning, but which has now been added. If you like surimi (it's prepared fish that's often used as imitation crab meat), they have it for $2/lb shipped. That is frankly incredible, and the cheapest meat deal I've seen there ... not to mention it's usually $4-$5/lb in stores, so it beats that, too. Here's the entry from the updated list:

Sea Best Imitation Crab Meat (Surimi) - $24 for 12 lbs
I am really surprised to see this on Amazon; imitation crab meat is white fish - usually pollock. I am personally not a fan, but it's surprising to see any meat on Amazon for only $2/lb, so I am going to go ahead and include it. Probably best for those who already know what it is (it is often served as "crab" on grocery store sushi), and whether or not they like it. If you do, though, this seems like a pretty awesome deal!

Oh oh oh oh okay. Well, hell, that makes it a lot easier! Also, it is still very very early to be asking for help. A lot can happen in a year. I don't suggest registering with a travel agency, though.. do you have any idea on where you want to honeymoon at or what your honeymoon budget is? We went to Disney World - it was the most amazing and perfect honeymoon ever... and if you would consider it, I may be able to help you out there.

I'm serious, though.. The honeymoon renders way more memories. You know what you're wedding is? Here's your wedding:

I do.

I do.

Kiss.

Holy crap we're married.

Pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures pictures, pictures pictures pictures.

Have a dance while everyone else is talking to each other.

Eat a little bit of food.

Be asked how many kids you're going to have and how you met 30,000 times.

Go home, open your cards, count up the money you got, have sex, go to sleep.


HOMEYMOON TIME! - best damn week of your life. The honeymoon is more about you than the wedding can ever be. It's just you with the freedom to do whatever you want during the week that your marriage is strongest.

There's a book my husband and I got called All About Us. It's like one of those really long myspace surveys that you both fill out. We did it while we traveled and a section each night in our hotel. Every year on our anniversary, we read it and talk about how much has (or hasn't) changed. A couple years ago, our anniversary came during a time we were struggling and reading what we wrote during the happiest period of our relationship really helped a lot. It also helps to see what's stayed the same (negates that "you're not the man i married" crap people come up with). This book and the Disney Bride & Groom hats were the best collective $40 we spent on the whole experience.

Edit: Added a pic from our honeymoon. :D

Just one window definitely makes it harder, but you can still get some circulation going if you put a box fan in the window.

I suggest turning the fan to blow out during the day, with the bedroom door open to allow air flow.
Then turn the fan to pull air in during the cooler evening/night.

you're better off not bothering with those little window fans like this , because they are pretty much always too weak to do any good.
Get a basic box fan like this , and just cover the window space next to the fan with a board or curtain or something.

I am not sure why I am even commenting because there are people with much, much greater needs than me. But here's my story anyway. My husband had a stroke in April and is unable to work. I am the sole income, and earlier this month I had a heart attack. I am also a full-time college student and my primary income source is freelance work, mostly transcription, and freelance writing.

The only thing I really need right now is these notebooks and these pens for school.

The notebooks fit in my notebook cover and let me separate the gs by topic. With there being six small notebooks, it will be enough fo get me through the semester, plus give me an extra one to organize my freelance projects as well. I chose those particular pens because there are q variety of colors for a relatively low price, and I color code my notes for easier studying and recall. Also, these pens are rated highly on reviews so they should last pretty well, and hold up to the number of notes I take without needing to be replaced too frequently,

I do have the. On a wishlist, I can share privately. I just don't like posting it in public anymore.

Again, I'm sure this is a low priority and so many have a much greater need so please do help them first, I can get by with the cheap Bic pen I have and printer paper for a bit anyway, and hopefully get them when my next project pays out if not chosen. I am diligently seeking out extra projects to make up for the time I was out of work while I was in the hospital, regardless, thank you for this offer because there need to be more people out there willing to reach out and help those in need.

What an awesome offer!


Now that the holidays have passed, I can be selfishly honest and admit I would love a new frying pan! Mine is a warped mess. This As-Seen-on-TV one is my dream pan.

Although, new contact lenses and laptop are high on my list, a new frying/sauce pan would be great.

By the way, /u/SofaKingAsian, doing cool things like this is exactly how one celebrates Christmas.

Have a great New Year!

OMG I am so glad I came across this and I hope you still have food to offer. My baby's name is Gracie and she is 6 years old. She is a doberman and I believe she has a little rottweiler in her possibly. I'd love to show you pics if interested :)

The thing is I have been in a huge rough patch for a while and am currently unemployed and fixing to be homeless probably in a month, maybe 2 if im lucky. I am barely able to feed myself right now let alone my dog, although I make sure she eats before me. I got extremely lucky a couple months ago and found this amazing deal at this food bank I go to, they had cases of nutro wet dog food for $3 a case of 12 which is AMAZING. The cans usually run about $2-$2.5 each. Needless to say I had to buy as many as I could which was 10-15 or so cases. I am just about out now and am really needing a bag of dry food for her, it would mean the absolute world to Gracie and myself if you were able to order her some food so she doesn't go hungry during this struggle we are enduring.

If I am lucky enough to receive any help this is the food I feed her, though I will take anything if this is too expensive. Thank you for reading this.

https://www.amazon.com/Nutro-Ultra-Proteins-Chicken-Salmon/dp/B006HKBWBI/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=nutro+dog+food&qid=1573734386&sprefix=nutro+&sr=8-9

Some cats don't like a water bowl near their food bowl, so you could try moving the water dish elsewhere. I have a cat that will simply refuse to drink out of a still water bowl (and doesn't care for wet food), but loves to drink out of the faucet when I turn it on, so now our two cats share this fountain: Drinkwell Avalon (70 oz)

There are various sizes, but we've had ours for a couple months now and we're quite happy with it. The pump is quiet and it's easy to clean. Probably the biggest issue is just the ongoing purchasing of filters, but I've just got them on a subscription from Amazon.

Lastly, get with your vet as a precaution so you can make sure there's not an underlying issue. Keep us updated (with pictures :) )!

Hi Jaynee,

I have some ideas, in no particular order:

• Have you visited your social services office to see what else you might qualify for? If not, I would suggest it. You could end up qualifying for TANF or even a Medigap policy paid for by the state.
  
  
• Can your mom use reusable adult diapers? If you can buy 4 of these month 1 (and only use them) and another 4 month 2, you'd have 8 diapers and never pay for them again, saving $100 a month every month afterward.
  
  
• Sandwich meat cost way too much. It can be up to $10 a pound for cheap meat! Instead, make your own with chicken or turkey for $2 a pound or less.
  
  
• You can make your own laundry detergent. I make it and it works as well as the Tide I used to spend way too much on. If you like powdered detergent grate 1.5 bars of Ivory soap (or 1/2 bar of Fells Naptha or Zote) and to that add 1 cup Super Washing Soda and 1 cup Borax. Use 2 tablespoons per normal load (1 for a light load and 3 for a large or heavily soiled load). If you prefer liquid, you'll need a 5 gallon bucket. The ingredients and amounts are the same, but in this version you add some water to the stovetop and add the grated soap in until it's mostly dissolved. Then add that to the bucket and stir in the borax and Super Washing Soda. Fill up the rest of the bucket and stir again. Stir before you use teach time and use 1/4 cup for a normal load, a bit less for a light load and 1/2 cup for a large or heavily soiled load. With this recipe, it cost about half a penny per normal load. It won't have a scent but you can add in a bit of essential oil if you want a sent. All of the ingredients together cost about $5 and make the equivalent of 10 gallons of regular laundry detergent.
  
  
• You can also make dishwasher detergent!
  
  
• Check out Needy Meds for possible help paying for your mom's prescriptions.
  
  
• Reusable wipes can be made at home with old soft clothing. You can keep them in an old wipes box and dampen them while in the box. If you and/or your mom likes them to have a scent, a few drops of essential oil can be used.
  
  
• You can make reusable TP (often called family cloth) using the same method as the wipes. Whether you want them dampened is a personal preference.
  
  So many daily items (think shampoo, weed killer, etc.) can be made at home for very little.
  
  I hope something here helps.
  
  Good luck!

I’m not sure what your current financial situation is, but I wanted to share this anyway. Maybe you could quickly save up for it or make a mini GoFundMe.

My husband and I purchased this mattress when we moved to an apartment together. It’s super inexpensive but has been the best mattress either of us has slept on, ever. It’s a perfect combination of firm and soft. The prices also vary depending on what size/length you get

mattress link

Get a 18 gallon tote, cut a opening in the front of it. Fill it with straw/hay. They will use it. You may want to make 2, or 3 since there is multiple cats. Also, you may want to look in to a TNR program in your area. Because they will keep populating, until they are spayed/neutered. Good luck, and feel free to message us if you need any tips. We care for a colony of cats, and several local strays. So we have a wee bit of experience. Also, you may want to make a amazon wish list with the needed items in case someone wanted to purchase them. The shelter you have listed in your posting is nice, but for that price you could make a few of the tote ones. And they will serve the same purpose. Also, amazon had small doghouses that were around $26 each. They work out pretty good too. Here is the link to the doghouses ; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00176F7TU/ref=wl_it_dp_v_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=Q3RZ8O5UKQPO&coliid=I81BUVGZCIDYS
Thanks for helping these kitties...

Merry Christmas OP!

I'm trying to get DJ equipment to start my dream of being a DJ. It's kinda already started because through lots of legwork and thrift-store shopping I managed to get some barely-passable home audio stuff, but it can't take the strain of DJing and can't be used for anything larger than ~40 people. I've had to turn down gigs because of it and judging by how frickin' hot it gets after I play for a few hours, it's going to be dead soon.

I made an Amazon list of what I need to buy to be at a semi-professional level. The cheapest thing that's independently useful would be the microphone, I believe, but literally anything is greatly appreciated, even if it's just a cord for something I don't have yet or something. The speakers are the most important thing by far, but they're extremely expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QJOZS4/ - Dynamic microphone (the condenser mics pick up all the background noise and are way more prone to feedback)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006NMUJA/ - Pop cover that would fit that mic

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Q802USB - Mixer (without it the speakers and stuff won't work)

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-software/traktor-pro-2/ - Professional software (the one I currently use is free software lacking a lot of the functionality of this)

https://www.image-line.com/flstudio/ - Production software

https://www.amazon.com/Akai-Professional-MPK-Mini-Controller/dp/B00IJ6QAO2/ - Cheap keyboard MIDI with a drum pad to use with FL Studio

https://www.amazon.com/JBL-LSR305-Professional-Studio-Monitor/dp/B00F1DEI8G/ - Monitor speakers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000068NW5/ - Cords for the montiors (I'd need 2)

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Speakers-Speaker-Stands-Travel/dp/B00M0EHEJE/ - Mackie Thump15s w/ cases and stands

https://www.amazon.com/Male-Female-Cables-long-cables/dp/B01IDI5OE2/ - Cables for the speakers and subwoofer

https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-THUMP18S-1200-Watt-18-Inch-Subwoofer/dp/B00IN2WHFI/ - Subwoofer

https://www.amazon.com/Stage-SS7745-Adjustable-Subwoofer-Attachment/dp/B002M8GBT2/ - Stand for the subwoofer

https://www.amazon.com/Stage-LS7730-Lighting-Stand-Truss/dp/B00119MJM6/ - Lighting truss

https://www.amazon.com/LaluceNatz-Lights-Multi-effects-Control-Lighting/dp/B011QEVO44/ - Colored lights (it would need 2)

https://www.amazon.com/Roxant-Super-Bright-Activated-Adjustable-Control/dp/B01LVXCDKX/ - Strobe lights (2 as well)

https://www.amazon.com/Large-Stage-Light-Party-Lighting/dp/B012TZCJHU/ - Hooks for the lighting (1 per light, 4 total)

https://www.amazon.com/Security-JFDWOPHT-Stainless-Safety-Lighting/dp/B01CSO5IIY/ - Security hooks for the lights (to save the lights if they fall from the hooks)

https://www.amazon.com/Furman-SS6B-Plug-Surge-Protector/dp/B0002D017M/ - Powerstrip (I'd need 2)

https://www.amazon.com/MAGMA-75541-Control-Stand-Controller/dp/B01MFHGS06/ - Laptop/controller stand

https://www.amazon.com/Numark-NV-Intelligent-Dual-Display-Touch-Capacitive/dp/B00M85GCTI/ - 4-deck controller

https://www.amazon.com/Magma-MGA47982-CTRL-Numark-Controller/dp/B00RK9Z40K/ - Case for the controller


Not going for a sob story here, but rather explanation of why I don't have money to spend on this stuff - I've got no family and I've got Lyme's Disease which I wasn't allowed to treat back when I had a family (strictly against modern medicine) and now can't treat because of an error made on my government-provided health insurance that's so far been going on for 8 months and is yet to be fixed. Lyme destroys your joints, so standing and walking for a retail job (not yet out of college) is extremely painful for days afterwards. Once I get treatment I'm going to put my nose to the grindstone and get two jobs to finance it, but still, anything helps. If you go through my post history you'll see mention of a few Christmas gifts, specifically a set of headphones, and those are from friends. I really really really appreciate them because they put a lot of thought into them and read reviews and all, but I wound up not being able to use them, but instead returned them and spent the money on a professional set of headphones, which is why there are no headphones on that list of links.