Ugh, hidden fees are everywhere, like @reeseb85 said about title costs.

Ever try saving the cold shower water? I keep a bucket in there to catch it before it warms up. Use that for flushing toilets or outdoor plants. It's a minor hassle, but it shaves a bit off the bill.

We had the same debate planting street trees in our neighborhood (the clay soil here is brutal). I pushed for native oaks but the city went with a tougher non-native pear variety. Those pears have survived droughts better, sure, but I miss the caterpillars and birds the oaks brought. My own rule now is to try a native first, but I’ll pick a proven non-native if the spot has already killed a couple plants.

Ugh, I just told my aunt to bring her own frosting if she's got so many opinions.

That part about cracked tiles hits home. Last year I tried to cut some PVC pipe for a drain with a wood saw blade. Made the worst jagged mess you ever saw, and the fitting wouldn't seal. I was covered in plastic dust and had to run back to the store too, just for the right blade. It's crazy how one wrong tool can wreck your whole afternoon.