Changed my mind about stump grinding after a chat at the supply yard

Honestly, I used to think grinding a stump was just a quick cleanup job. I'd quote maybe $150 and get it done in an hour with the little rental machine. Then last week at the Greenleaf Supply in Springfield, I overheard a guy talking about a job where he found a full brick walkway buried under a stump from a 100 year old oak. He said it took his crew two extra days to deal with the bricks and backfill properly. Tbh, that made me realize I've been undercharging and under-planning for years. I never even thought to ask a client about what might be under their old trees. Now I'm adding a line to my estimate form asking about possible underground features. Has anyone else had a nasty surprise like that after the tree was down?

Warning: I just found out most fashion school programs don't even teach basic business skills.

I was reading an article from a design professor in Chicago, and she said only about 30% of programs include a real finance class. How are new designers supposed to run a brand if they can't read a profit and loss sheet? Has anyone here actually learned the business side on their own?

Saw something wild at the craft store in Portland

I was at Scrap PDX last week looking for some washi tape and saw a whole display of bullet journal kits for $40 each. They had pre-made monthly spreads, stickers, the works. Looked pretty but it felt like buying a paint-by-numbers kit. Isn't the whole point to make a system that works for your own messy brain? Has anyone else felt like the hobby is getting too packaged and perfect?

Been using the wrong coax stripper for attic runs this whole time

I was up in a hot crawlspace in Phoenix last week, fighting with a tight corner, and my stripper kept nicking the center conductor. The homeowner, an older guy named Frank, just watched me struggle for ten minutes before he said, 'Son, my brother did this for 30 years. He swore by the Jonard JCS-2000 for tight spots.' I bought one that night and the difference is crazy. Anyone else have a specific tool that saved them from a repeated headache?

Had a guy try to pay his $87 phone bill with a literal jar of pennies at my kiosk last month

I work at a mall phone kiosk. This dude brought in a huge glass jar, dumped it on the counter, and said 'count it.' My manager said we had to accept legal tender, so I spent 45 minutes sorting and rolling coins while a line built up. Some customers were cool, others left. Now I'm split: one side says we should have a sign or a rule against huge coin payments to keep things moving. The other side says cash is cash and turning people away is bad service, especially if they're just trying to pay. What's the line between good customer service and keeping your actual job doable? Has your spot made a rule about this?

Had to choose between fixing my 2005 Civic's AC or just dealing with the Texas heat. Went with the windows down for 3 months.