That big oak I saw on a job in Columbus..." cracks me up, honestly, because I've been that homeowner hesitating on the cost of cabling before - and then the branch came down on my shed. From what I've seen, a crack like that on a mature oak is usually a sign the tree is splitting under its own weight, and waiting it out just makes it worse. I'd probably joke that my own cheapness backfired, but in your case, at least you warned them, so you're covered.

Oh man, I have to call out something real quick. You said rice and beans and eggs cost $20 for a week in Austin, but that's really hard unless you already had some stuff like oil and spices at home. I tried a similar challenge last year and learned that plain rice and plain eggs are a recipe for quitting, not saving money. Frozen veggies and canned tomatoes are actually a smart way to stretch things out, not a failure. Did you check out any discount grocery stores or buy in bulk to make it last longer?

Yeah, most of them have a hidden latch or a twist lock that isn't obvious at first... once you figure it out, it's a 10 second job.

Did you give the clear enough flash time between coats?

Take it a little less seriously. Some of us buy online because the local shop acts like they're doing you a favor by letting you breathe their air. I got my last drysuit from a place that had a size chart and a return policy, not a guy who rolls his eyes when you ask if the neck seal comes in a smaller size. Sure, getting measured is ideal, but not everyone has a shop nearby that stocks ten different gasket sizes. And honestly, most people manage fine with a bit of trial and error. The real issue is that some manufacturers cut corners on their sizing, not that buyers are lazy.