I'm as frugal as anybody, but frugality alone doesn't guarantee that you won't "feel the recession". I think the original article's author is being very unsympathetic toward people who are suffering.
Not everybody has gotten into financial trouble from trying to keep up with the Joneses. Medical bills are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy, and there is just no frugal way to get out of paying your doctor or hospital bills.
This is the first (and, I hope, only) time I've ever been offended by something that I've read here. I hope, too, that nothing this unsympathetic will ever be posted here again.
Forget about home remedies, and get to a doctor. You could have an infection, requiring antibiotics, which could cause you to lose part or all of your hearing in that ear, unless you treat it.
Where ear infections are concerned, you only have a very SMALL window of treatment opportunity--about two weeks, according to my ENT specialist--before permanent damage can take place.
@Glenn'sMom, I don't think she's accused of anything; it sounds like a disability hearing. :)
That said, I have similar concentration problems because I have bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia (with "fibro fog"). What I do when I go to a doctor, etc., is sit at the computer and write down what I want to say, edit it down to be as concise as possible, then print it out and bring it with me. I then explain my problems with speaking, and say that I had someone "help me" write something that I'd like to read.
Make sure you say someone helped you out, because disability judges are pretty nasty; they think that if you can construct a sentence, you should get off your "lazy" rear end and get a job as the next Great American Novelist.
I first tried to apply for disability in 2003, and I still haven't been accepted. It's very, very hard to get on SSD/SSI when you have psychiatric problems, or ailments like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. And if you're under 50, as I am? Literally, forget it--they automatically weed out anybody under 50, because Social Security doesn't want to "waste" money on any one person for so many years.
I'm sorry to sound negative, but the system is really stacked against people like us, even when you have a lawyer. I'm just telling you this so you won't do as I did: Get your hopes up, work hard to make a good case for your lawyer to present, and then end up not just being rejected, but slanderously ridiculed by the judge.
It got to the point where I kept on appealing, just so I could remain on Medicaid (though some states don't even give you that). Make 'em pay one way or another--you paid into the system, you deserve it. So don't give up...just get what you can out of them.
I can't find a way to edit my post, so I'll post some additional info.
OK. I got conflicting info from different websites about this snake. One site said that the snake will flee rather than attack, but others say that this snake is aggressive, and will attack.
I'm not 100% certain, but because it has a white mouth, it sounds like a cottonmouth snake - it's named "cottonmouth" because of the white mouth/throat. If so, it is VERY venomous! Cottonmouth (a/k/a "water moccasin") snakes are usually smaller than that, but it's possible you could have estimated its size incorrectly. It's hard to tell a snake's actual size, due to its coiling/slithering.
In any case, call your local wild animal control center, or the humane society about this. You don't want to be messing with this snake if it is, indeed, a cottonmouth. Even if it isn't that species, it's better to have an expert determine what it is.
Because, if it is a cottonmouth, you seriously do not want to be bitten by it. They'll usually try to escape rather than attack you (unless it's cornered, or if you step on it by accident). Talk to some knowledgeable people in your area, and find out what the snake is, and whether it can be relocated safely.
I love snakes, but I have a very healthy respect for them. Be careful. :-) ... View related article.
Never, EVER use a brick for this purpose! I learned that the hard way, when a brick ultimately ruined our toilet.
As another poster mentioned, current toilets are already low-flow. But if you have an older toilet, use a plastic bottle (NEVER glass--it can break in the tank!). Fill it with water, then place it away from any parts of the flushing mechanism. :-) ... View related article.
Thanks for this tip. In all my years of minor toilet repairs, I've never encountered this (thank heavens). But it's good to know what to do, if it should happen. :-) ... View related article.
I don't have a Manx, but thanks for the tip. Isn't it wonderful how the little fuzzballs take over our homes and our hearts? :-) ... View related article.
Great tip! You should always wear plastic or vinyl gloves while working with such things, though. I'm going to give this a try when we start painting again! ... View related article.
