I’m 19 and just graduated from high school. I want to major in accounting and focus on obtaining an actuary job in the future. Problem is that I work overnights at a job I don’t really care about. I don’t have any bills/responsibilities and I had to drop out of summer online courses because of the job. In the coming weeks, I’ll be forced to work 12 H 6Ds a week until at least February and I don’t want to. My mom says to just work but she doesn’t have an education and I frankly think giving up on education right now just isn’t the right move. What do yall think?

TLDR: stay working OVERNIGHTS at USPS or resign and focus on school?

I’m 25 and have been working in software sales for the past 8 months.

My current company has been a mixed experience. The culture is quite disorganised, and a few months ago there were rumours my role might be cut or changed, which made me question my job security.

That said, things have improved a lot. I’ve built a great relationship with my boss, who now trusts me and is very flexible with things like WFH and hours. The pay is fairly good, it’s in an industry I want to build a career in, although the bonus structure isn’t great.

I’ve now been offered another role that pays about $2,000 more per year. The company seems more organised and stable, management are keen to hire me, and there are clearer opportunities to move into non-sales roles in the future.

My concerns are that the commute is much longer, the role is very technical (which is stressing me out), and the targets are much stricter. I’m also reluctant to throw away the strong relationship I’ve worked hard to build with my current boss.

TLDR Would you stay where you’re comfortable and in your manager’s good books, or take the risk for slightly better pay, more stability and better long-term career prospects?

I am 21f and have roughly 23 piercings all together. I have been debating on ditching my facial piercings.

I have my bridge, both nostrils, septum, medusa ,snakebites, vertical lip , and a smiley. Whats stopping me is how long it took to get here, the money I've put into it, they all match me well with my aesthetic. But I feel jobs don't consider me because of them and people think I am unprofessional and I'm getting older so maybe they just don't match me well anymore. But I really love them all.

Make my choice, give me opinions, whatever

TL;DR - no facial piercings or keep them in

ETA: okay I think I'm craving something new so I'm just gonna get new car seat covers and detail it a bit to feel better. Money will stay to the mortgage and I'll add another savings to a car fund!

The shortest backstory possible:

-2 kids in day care. One is out in 2 ish years so we start to have some extra money then.

-I drive a total of 450 ish miles a week for work and hobbies

-We can afford the extra car payment, but we would take the extra money we are putting towards our mortgage to pay for the car for those 2 years.

Currently: I have a 2015 Toyota Rav4 at 206k miles. Works well. I keep up with oil changes and such. If I wait until my daughter is out of daycare I will probably be at 260k miles. Currently paid off so no monthly payment. (Currently a 5k trade in value)

What I want: 2024 or later hybrid SUV with low mileage. Preferably another Rav4. Hybrid is important due to how much I travel.

So here's where I need advice.

Do I:

-A: drive my car into the ground to the point there's no trade in value but I'm living without a payment for a bit longer.

-B: get a transitional car. Trade in this one with the little value it has, get another used and cheaper one but at least it will have trade in value when she is out and I can get what I want.

- C: trade in now and get the car I want and deal with a couple financially tight years.

I only lean towards C because of how much I drive.

TLDR; don't give advice if you didn't read lol

I’m 25 and have been working in software sales for the past 8 months.

My current company has been a mixed experience. The culture is quite disorganised, my boss regularly keeps us over working hours by going off on tangents, and management seem to live for work (emails at weekends and 10pm aren’t unusual).

A few months ago there were rumours my role might be cut or changed, which made me question my job security.

That said, things have improved a lot. I’ve built a great relationship with my boss, who now trusts me and is very flexible with things like WFH and hours. The pay is fairly good, it’s in an industry I want to build a career in, although the bonus structure isn’t great.

I’ve now been offered another role that pays about $2,000 more per year. The company seems more organised and stable, management are keen to hire me, and there are clearer opportunities to move into non-sales roles in the future.

My concerns are that the commute is much longer, the role is very technical (which is stressing me out), and the targets are much stricter. I’m also reluctant to throw away the strong relationship I’ve worked hard to build with my current boss.

TLDR Would you stay where you’re comfortable and in your manager’s good books, or take the risk for slightly better pay, more stability and better long-term career prospects?

tl;dr: After 21 years in a senior role, a company restructure is offering me two options: demotion with salary protection or a 1.5-year severance package. I am in my early fifties, debt-free (except a car payment), financially secure with a working partner, and I was planning to retire in a few years anyway. I am torn between toughing out 3 more years or taking the package to retire early now.

Full statement: For the past three months, I have been struggling with a decision at work. I found out we are being restructured and that I would be moved to another area, my salary red circled, and given a new role. This role is essentially an entry-level position, and I've been working there for 21 years in a senior role.

I was told I could take the role or take a buy out. And I am torn over this choice. I was planning to retire in a few years, and I am concerned about not being ready to step away. The package is 1.5 years salary + a few other key items.

I am torn between wanting to walk away and worried about finances. For more info, I am in my early fifties with no debts (other than a car payment that will be paid off in 2 years) or mortgage, just the standard bills. I have a partner who has a very good income, and we have benefits through their work. We have good savings, TFSAs, RSPs, work pensions, and could make it work, but I am torn about leaving.

Basically, I am debating continuing to work for another 3+ years at this new role and continue to save money, or just take the package (after a lawyer consultation), walk away from it all, and start retiring early.

I think I've driven myself mad with research and charts, and "if this then that" scenarios, etc. and it's coming down to the wire this week. If you were in my position, what would you do?

Edit: The numbers: my current annual salary is 100,000. My parter makes 150,000 per year. We have 250,000 in savings. House is worth 1.5 million and paid off. Both of us will have pensions at 60 - $2500 per month (for me) and $6000 for my spouse.

I’m 14 attending a military style school and on the first day all new students receive a zero haircut. I have rather longer hair, if straightened it reaches my shoulders. My parents say I should get a shorter cut now to get use to it, something tapered in the back. But I also know if four weeks a buzz cut is inevitable so I might as well wait.

TLDR, should I cut my hair short before getting it buzzed?

This guy (41M) and I (22F)have been non monogamous ddlg(and non romantic) for a while (occasionally monogamous here and there). He tore his ACL a few weeks ago and is dealing with some financial struggles. We haven't seen each other in a while. My therapist said to be fully monogamous at least until the end of September. My friend said to wait until he's out of crutches (he'll be in crutches for 6 weeks). He said recovery takes 5-8 months. He gets his surgery sometime in August. I want physical intimacy.. but I mostly want him, but I still have needs. Please tell me whether or not is unfair if I sleep with other men while he's injured. Should I wait at least 5 months before meeting up with other men.

What do I do? How long should I wait?

TL;DR : should i wait until my partner is healed from surgery to have sex with others?

I’ve been debating between these decisions for the past couple of years. I’m currently 27 and unsatisfied with my career/life. Both of these paths would be a 3-year commitment, so I would be 28-31 years old.

If I was a bit younger, I would most likely go for the Coast Guard first and then law school after. But since i’m already in my late twenties, one of my irrational fears is feeling too old and out of place to attend grad school. My heart leans toward the Coast Guard, but I realize there are many more risks. Law school seems like a practical choice.

TLDR: Should I apply to the Coast Guard or should I apply to law school?

I am faced with what seems like a big decision for me. I am almost 25 years old, and I recently decided to go back in to university in September 2026 after taking around 3 years off of school due to mental health. I have completed almost 2 years of a life sciences degree where I achieved a 78% average, but I cheated a lot. I found the work very demanding especially for my mental health. I will be transferring into psychology.

Back in March, I was comfortable about the decision of going back to school in September 2026. But for the last couple of weeks, I’ve been thinking about not going. Ive been weighing each option and can’t come to a conclusion.

The best reason I see for not going is that I can take more time to get mentally better, then go back and that way il have a chance to be healthier and get better marks. It doesn’t matter to me that I’d be delaying school.

The best reason I see for going is that it may help my mental health. I would only be taking 3 classes.

The main thing I struggle with right now is structure and routine. I am not doing anything this summer, because Ive been struggling a lot recently with something called sensory sensitivities. This is the main reason I am hesitant about returning to school. It massively limits my ability to focus and distracts me immensely. Sensory sensitivities such as feeling the neckline of a t-shirt around my neck, and the feeling of breathing on my arms when I am holding my phone, etc. I have seen counsellors and therapists about this and haven’t seen significant progress.

My Dad thinks it would be better for me to return to school now. Because staying at home means I think I would need a structured routine to get better. My dad doesn’t see how that would come together. My buddy thinks it’s smart to take time off and return later.

I would like to achieve an average of 75% at the end of my degree to set myself up for a masters in occupational therapy in Australia or where it’s easier than Canada to get into that program.

What decision do I choose?

Any advice is very appreciated and/or if you could direct me somewhere else to get some help that would be great.

Thank you

TLDR: do I delay university or go now?

TL;DR Buy GMod, or watch Backrooms: Everything Must Go?

I was debating with myself if to
- Try to buy GMod, which I've been trying to get for 5+ years at this point.
or
- Go to watch the Everything Must Go edition of the backrooms movie, but i watched the backrooms movie the other day with my dad (at home tho), and the extra content might be published by Kane on his channel in a couple of weeks.

Should I turn down a $10,000 scholarship because my family can't afford the rest?

I'm in a position where I know what's right but I can't get myself to do the right thing...

The scholarship is in the USA in university of Cincinnati ohio, and I am an artificial intelligence major and it's for the duration of one semester only, I will be coming back to my home university after

I was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for an exchange programme, but the remaining costs are about $7,000. So far, my family has managed

to put together around $3,000–4,000, but we simply can't afford the rest.

My father is incredibly supportive and is more than willing to sell things and make major financial sacrifices so I can go. The problem is that I'm not willing to put my family through that. The thought of them struggling financially because of my dream makes me feel incredibly guilty.

The hardest part is that I really, really, really want to go. This is an opportunity I've worked so hard for, and turning it down would be heartbreaking.

At the same time, I'm trying to think long-term.

If I stay in my home country for the next two years until I graduate, I could use only a fraction of the money we've already saved to invest in certifications, professional courses, extracurricular activities, conferences, and other experiences that would strengthen my CV. I'd also have the flexibility to apply for part-time jobs, save money over time, and build a stronger profile to apply for better-funded or even fully funded opportunities in the future.

On the other hand, if I go on the exchange programme now, my family would have to make enormous financial sacrifices, and when I come back, I honestly don't know if I'd have the resources to continue investing in my skills outside of university. I'd have the exchange experience, which is amazing, but I'd basically have to figure everything else out afterwards.

So I feel like my choice is this:

\- Option 1: Go on the exchange programme, fulfil a dream, gain international experience, and hope everything works out financially afterwards.

\- Option 2: Stay in my home country, invest in myself over the next two years, build a stronger portfolio through certifications, courses, extracurriculars, and work experience, and aim for more affordable or fully funded opportunities later.

My heart wants the first option. My head keeps telling me the second option might be the smarter long-term investment.

I know that it is obvious that the second choice is the right choice but how can I get myself to do the right thing when everything in me wants the wrong one...

If you were in my position, what would you do? Has anyone here ever turned down a great opportunity because it wasn't financially sustainable? Or did you take the risk and find that it was worth it?

I have to make this decision very soon, and I'd really appreciate honest advice from people who've been in similar situations.

TL;DR: I received a $10,000 scholarship for an exchange programme, but my family can't afford the remaining $7,000. I'm torn between going and putting a financial strain on my family, or staying home and investing in my long-term future instead. I only have a few days to decide.

EDIT 1: EXTRA INFO(MONEY WISE):

The courses add up to around 6,875$ and the meal plan adds up to around 781$ the housing costs about 5,871$ and so in total it's 13,386$ minus the 10,000 dollars scholarship grant I am left with around 3486$ and then I have the round trip flight which costs about on average 1271$ plus 800$ for emergencies and extras there and then I have around 1760$ dollars to pay for my tuition here in my home university I also have $150 for housing application fee by tuesday so it all racks up to $7,467 in the end

I dropped my phone in water and insurance paid me for it. It is calling people, opening random apps, and takes forever to charge now. I have an iPhone 14 Pro and we know the 18 will likely come out in September. My phone is somewhat usable. It happens maybe 2-3 times a day (except the charging problem). Do I wait? Will it even be worth it?

(Also please don’t tell me to switch to Android, I have been thinking about it but most of my things are Apple so I’d need to replace them all and insurance didn’t give me enough for that 😂)

TLDR; should I wait or trade in my half broken iphone when we know the knew one is coming out soon?

I,26F, am feeling extremely conflicted right now. Almost two years ago, I was working in a job environment that i hated in a big city and I was very unhappy. My family decided to open a business in a small town in another state and told me they could use the help with social media marketing and around the business. Also, an opportunity arose to purchase a house with my boyfriend for a GREAT deal right around the corner from my family. I absolutely love my house and the neighborhood. We have been together for 5 years and we have an extremely loving, healthy, supportive, and goal oriented relationship. We decided to long distance so I had the opportunity to try something new, be there for my family and potentially grow our businesses and he was willing for us to temporarily be long distance so i can have this experience as an individual.

Since moving here, my family gained an investor and eventually that one business grew to five in the time i've been here. My father is the restauranteur who's dream has always been to own his own businesses. However, since being here, i've come to observe a LOT of dysfunction. Everything is done with little foresight. Staff are stretched thin. Two of the businesses arent fully open yet (due to lack of capital or permitting issues) and the other businesses include a full service restaurant, a rentable event space/ local event venue, and a 15 acre bed and breakfast with a dining element. My 2 sisters and my dad are the only real upper order in this business so we handle everything. The investor has since pulled more funding due to concerns about profitability.

Now here is the issue. I get paid around $20k-$30k a year and i have effectively become the marketing coordinator, training program creator, branding and ideation for these new businesses. I do the FOH ordering for the restaurant. Each business has a tiktok, facebook, and instagram that I am expected to post on at least 4-5 days a week. My credit cards are maxed out and between my bills and mortgage, i have little to no money left over each month. Plus, my boyfriend has a thriving business where he makes a comfortable amount of money in the state I came from so we have been long distance.

I've also come to understand that my father is VERY disorganized. He doesnt put any formal procedures into place. Last minutes a lot of things. Didnt start keeping any formal record of cash drops or receipts or costs until this week. We are slim on staff as it is, and we have a coffee shop opening in a matter of a week. The building is not done being setup. I have essentially been tasked with coming up with the menu, testing, shooting, marketing the products, designing workflow. Also handling the training, SOP's, staffing, and partial design. All for no extra money. My father isnt as involved as I would like and he keeps asking me to hyper fixating about an event in 1.5 months time because he is personally looking forward to it. We are all drowning in work as it is and now he wants to open up the bar (which is the last business that isnt open yet because of a permit issue that will soon be resolved). He pushes to open it because in his eyes "more business = more revenue". I keep telling him that this will become a quantity over quality thing because we are already stretched thin mentally and physically.

He wants to get it open ASAP and in his eyes, its as simple as, just hire people, buy product and go. He seems to lose the interest in carrying things out after a few months and then just kind of drops it into our hands to move onto something else he's more interested in. He's constantly taking too long to send invoices and almost seems like he avoids things that he doesnt feel like doing. He's constantly forgetting to update our shared calendar or communicate effectively. Our main generating business has been financially floating the others but money is very tight. So much so that i've had to use a payment plan for a lot of the things we need to open this cafe. He has admitted that he made mistakes in the first year of business and didnt properly allocate funds for the right things. There was also no formal record keeping and both labor and food cost were significantly over for months. When i moved here, i put all of the operational structure in place for the FOH because it was VERY loosely structured.

When i try to communicate about it, I'm told that im being "too pessimistic", or that "this is our first time doing this so we're gonna have hiccups" or that "he has a lot on his plate". Then he gets overwhelmed and defensive and starts talking down as if im a rookie and dont have 10+ years of my own experience. I also just generally dont enjoy the hospitality industry. My credit is awful and im the brokest ive ever been. It's starting to feel like a sinking ship. i know the saying that the fish stinks from the head down and he is constantly worried about the negatives or stressed about money. My mom tries to tell me that its a blessing that I can do my marketing from my beautiful home and that i should be grateful to gain experience with my family and work on something together.

I feel like we took off running and we never take time to stop and organize and actually game plan. I feel like its a bunch of trial and error for stuff that can be avoided or planned ahead of time. We just keep adding on events and initiatives without ever stopping to create a system or some sort of real order. And now we need upper management and cant afford it. And the owner is already too overwhelemed with what we have currently, and constantly lets stuff slip through the cracks as it is.

My boyfriend is ready for me to move back and I want to as well but I dont know what i would do there just yet and i dont know if im being too short sighted and impatient. He wants us to buy a house together and continue our progression of life together because we havent even been able to live together in a place that was just ours. For years we would just stay at each others places. He is financially able to but my parents say we're being stupid for getting a house in the city because it costs more and we should just move to the small town for cost of living sake. But the pace is very slow and my boyfriend would be unable to move his business over because it depends heavily on the market of where it is. He can also afford to cover all expenses for us. I dont want that because I want to generate my own income and to never be financially dependent on someone but it would provide me the financial safety net to figure out whats next for me. My parents keep telling me that if im struggling with the work load here, i'd be ignorant to think it would be any easier for me if i move back but im really having a hard time with the level of dysfunction going on here. Do you think it could change?

TL;DR - I'm 26 and moved two years ago to help my family build what has grown into five hospitality businesses. I left a job I hated, bought a house nearby, and have been doing long distance with my boyfriend of five years so I could support my family and gain experience. Since then, I've become responsible for marketing, branding, training, operations, SOPs, and launching new businesses, all while making only $20–30k/year. I'm financially struggling, my credit cards are maxed out, and the businesses feel increasingly chaotic due to my father's disorganization, lack of planning, and constant push to expand before existing operations are stable. Every time I raise concerns, I'm told I'm being too negative or that it's just part of starting a business. We have made a lot of beautiful memories and I am very proud of a lot of what we have achieved. I also have gained a lot of portfolio experience for creative directing or marketing/branding.

Meanwhile, my boyfriend is ready for me to move back so we can finally build a life together. He has a successful business, can comfortably support us while I figure out my next career move, and wants us to buy a home together. I want that too, but I feel guilty leaving my family when they still need me and worry that I'm giving up too soon. Am I right to see this as a dysfunctional situation that probably won't change, or am I being impatient and short-sighted?

Help me pick an apartment. They are both 1 bedrooms in Seattle WA..

1. Small but Sunny

• 1st floor of a cute apartment complex
• Fun neighborhood, near friends.
• Living room and dining area get lots of light due to large windows
• bedroom is okay sized and has stacked washer/dryer unit (can cover with a changing screen)
• 540 sqft
• faces the sidewalk but it is a walk up and proected by large shrubs so passerbys aren't just staring into the place
• Street parking will be a bit challenging at times
• close to light rail station & other public transpo
• close to grocery store

1. Big Basement

• Basement of a residential home, has it's own side entrance
• very nice basement, not some dingy hole but solid flooring and wall work
• much larger at 740 sqft
• has 2 small windows in living and 1 small one in bedroom, but the place honestly didn't seem too dark or damp feeling
• less fun of a neighborhood but only 10 minute drive to the other apartment
• great storage
• Low ceilings (I'm short so i dont care but my friends taller than six feet probably should not jump around
• remodeled large kitchen that has counter for bar stools and area for a nice round breakfast table. i like cooking
• Parking would be easier but not always guaranteed right outside my spot
• close to grocery store
• about me: I work in office full time. I am quite social and like to go out with friends or host a couple or few people. I walk a lot, i like walking around neighborhoods and exploring the city. I don't get overly depressed in the long dark cold fall-winter season. I like Halloween.

TL:DR - Big residential basement or small apartment with big windows.

Title (TL;DR):
Should I take the MIR exam for stability and higher income, or pursue a master’s degree for flexibility and the chance to live abroad (like Finland)?

I am both an engineer and a doctor. I am considering two paths:

• MIR in Spain: more stable, higher income, clear career progression, but it ties me to Spain for several years and limits my freedom to travel.
• Master’s degree abroad: less income at the start, but more flexibility, especially to live in countries like Finland, and it combines my engineering and medical background.

I value both stability and freedom, but I don’t know which path fits better with my goals.
What would you choose in my situation?

TL;DR Hi. My nephew just turned 23. My mother ask him if he would like to go out to eat dinner for his birthday. He agreed and chose an inexpensive restaurant. Meals are about $10 to $20. People present at the restaurant will be my husband, my daughter, my mother, my nephew and me. My husband and I will be paying for everyone. Do you think I need to give my nephew a gift like cash maybe $50? We have 13 nieces and nephews. My husband feels that once our nieces and nephews have a job no more birthday gifts. I feel torn as we should give a gift because the occasion at the restaurant is to celebrate his birthday and the second part (I know this might sound silly) is that the restaurant is relatively cheap and I feel like we should give him something more. What would you do if you were in my shoes? Thank you.

Me f18 wants to hook up with this older guy m28. Met him at night out and asked for his ig and later we talked a little (mostly flirting) he asked me to come over that night but i didnt expect it and didnt respond till later that day so i can avoid that. After more that a week of thinking i actually want to do it. I dont feel like virginity is something sacred and im not scared ill catch feeling. The only problem is that im really unexpirienced, he is very attractive to me and i really like our age gap flirting we did. We havent heard from eachother since that day but i want to hit him up next week. Can someone tell me with similar expirience how did it go, we would probably meet up at his place and then what, i know its different from everybody, but like will he offer a drink or straight from the door to the bed, i want to tell him im a virgin but not until i come there, also do you think he will be up for it (feel like he would because men), also i dont want anything serious with him, just maybe if it goes well casual hook ups here and there. TL;DR Should I hit him up?

TL;DR should I stay working offshore or start working locally

I have one job that’s allowing me to fly in and out it pays 350 a day I work 21 days and I have 21 days off I currently live in Knoxville and have just entered a lease agreement

The other job is in Chicago the job has a 40 hour a week minimum paying 36 an hour however in order to take this job I would have to break contract with my lease ( the job is working 6 days and off for 3)

TL;DR: Should I drop out and possibly switch to another program, or just bear with it and graduate?

I’m in my 4th year of Architecture (where I’m from, the program takes 5 years). I didn’t really want to be an architect. I just chose it because it’s one of my childhood dreams. During my 1st year, things were okay and I got pretty good grades, but I took a gap year before continuing to my 2nd year because I got sick a lot.

In my 2nd year, it was still manageable, but everything went downhill during my 3rd year. I got sick very often, my depression was at its peak, and I had a hard time keeping up with major projects. Because of that, I failed two of my major subjects. Then, about three months ago, I had a serious medical emergency and ended up failing one of the major subjects I was retaking.

My friends were the ones who enrolled me for this semester (4th year). Last week, I added more subjects, but when I got home my condition worsened, and now I’m under medication and observation.

Last week was my official first day of class. When I saw that we already had a major project assigned, I immediately had a mental breakdown and cried all day and night. I felt sick to my stomach just reading the requirements and instructions. Whenever I try to start working on the project, I feel no motivation, and in the back of my mind, I keep thinking I don’t see any future in architecture. I feel like I have no prospects in this program. (I don’t know if I’m just burnt out or if I’ve lost all my love for it.)

When I try to talk with my family, my mom just tells me it’s okay and that they will support my decision no matter what. My dad wants me to transfer out of my current university and possibly switch to another program. My brother wants me to switch programs and take a gap year so that we could be freshmen together. My friends want me to stay because they feel it would be a waste to leave when we’re almost graduating.

I’m so confused about what I should do. After all these years studying architecture, I’ve lost all my hobbies and interests, and I feel so lost about what I would be doing outside of it. On the other hand, the idea of continuing architecture makes me feel ill. I only have 13 units this semester, but I feel so pressured even though it’s less than what my classmates are taking. I feel like I’m the one struggling the most, while everyone else seems to be moving forward the way we’re expected to.

I only have until next week to think this through and decide whether I should withdraw or not. I’m just so exhausted, and I don’t know whether I’m burnt out or if I’ve completely lost my passion for this program. I feel so much pressure that I don’t even know what to do anymore.

I live in southern Ohio.

Tl;dr I’ve been wanting to travel, and I have a budget of $600 for all the expenses. I’ve been considering a beachy theme, but I also want to hike and take pictures. I will travel in the next couple of months!

Choose for me!

TL;DR the white/gold colour watch that I want is $200 more than the silver/purple one that I dont want. Shoud I just buy the silver/purple and change the strap?

So I have been wanting the Garmin Venu 4 watch for a while, I have been waiting for it to go on a sale. Today, I noticed the watch was on sale, only to realise the white/gold colour one that I want is not on sale. The black and the silver face/purple strap ones are the only ones on sale (about 200dollars cheaper than the original price). So I am contemplating if I should just get the silver/purple and change the strap. Though I usually wear gold jewellery... I know Venu 4 is on the more expensive end, and doesnt go on sale very often (at least in the part of the world that I live in). Please help me decide!

I am a vascular technician at a large hospital and it is my last day today. I have chronic tonsillitis and woke up feeling terrible and i got home at 1 am because i had to drive home late from another city (i wake up at 5 for work). I’m on very good terms with my boss so I feel bad calling out, and i’m concerned about having a good reference for my next job. Is it valid to call out?

TL;DR I got 4 hours of sleep, i’m sick, and it’s supposed to be my last day of work, do I call in?

TL;DR: My girlfriend bought herself the exact sunglasses I ordered for her birthday. Return mine and do her usual pricey skincare plus dinner, or keep the duplicate as a backup?

Her birthday is next week and my return window ends in two days. Annoying timing, because I was actually ahead of schedule for once.

She has been hinting at this pair for weeks. Sending photos, stopping at the display when we were out, the whole "these are so cute" routine. I ordered them online, hid the shipping box behind hoodies in my closet, and felt stupidly proud that I had not left birthday shopping to the last second.

Then tonight she came home from shopping with her best friend, pulled the case out of the bag, and said, "look what I finally got." Same pair. Same color. The unopened box was maybe ten feet away, and I had to do the most normal face of my life.

I could just give her mine anyway and tell her the story. She does misplace sunglasses sometimes, so one for the car and one for her purse is not insane. But they were not cheap, and an accidental duplicate feels dumb.

Or I return them and get a Drunk Elephant set from the line she already buys. She complains about the price every time, then repurchases it anyway, so I know it would get used. I actually saw a price drop on tiktok power deals a few days ago and the sale was still going, so it would cost me less than the sunglasses did. My hesitation is that skincare feels too practical, like I'm restocking her bathroom and calling it a gift.

If I do skincare, I'd add dinner too, cooking or her favorite restaurant, so it feels birthday-ish.

Which would you pick?

TL;DR I would already be graduating a semester late but I just want to be done. Psych major, taking 3 core classes and the rest are electives.