Ugh, that's so real. I did the exact same thing with my first few graphic design gigs. Made a whole set of custom icons for a friend's app, charged like twenty bucks and a coffee. You just have no clue what your time is worth yet, and you're scared to ask for real money. Hearing someone else's friend call it out must have been a weird mix of "oh thank god" and "oh no".

I switched to making cold brew at home and saved $40 last month. @dylanwells, my bar tab math was even scarier, so I feel you. Those little charges really do add up fast.

Ever had that happen with something you already bought? Like sean48's landlord calling a full paint job a touch-up, I had a store try to charge me a "small restocking fee" for returning a shirt. It ended up being like a third of what I paid, and they said it was for "processing and inspection." I mean, it was just a shirt, not a car. Idk, maybe it's just me but that feels like they make up fees for stuff that takes two seconds.

Man, this reminds me of my old metal filing cabinet. The drawers would stick so bad I'd have to yank them sideways just to open. Finally threw some heavy duty slides on there, the kind meant for engine compartments. Now it glides out even when stuffed with every manual from 1985. Should've done it years ago.

Wait, isn't that just called the coffee shop effect? I read it's not really the noise itself, but the low hum of other people working that tricks your brain. Dead silence can make every little thought feel too loud.