Honestly, the hidden cost for me is the mental load. Even when I'm not working on the project, I'm stressing about the next step or a missing tool. That constant background worry for a whole week has its own price tag that never shows up in the receipts.

Yeah, like gibson.mark said, it's usually the pork collar. I just smile, do the cut they ask for, and let them have their moment. Works every time.

Yeah, the "soupy mess" thing is real... my starter's pretty slow and cold, I keep it in the basement. Up on the fridge is the only spot that gets it moving at all. If I put it near the dryer, it would go crazy fast.

Learned that trick from my grandpa with his pancake batter. He'd get the griddle so hot a drop of water would dance on it, then pour. Made the edges lace up real nice and crispy every single time.

Yeah, those pressed logs are the worst for that. They burn way too cool and wet compared to real wood. It's not even a proper seasoning issue, it's the glue and wax they use to hold the sawdust together. That stuff just vaporizes and then sticks to your flue liner as it cools. Seen it a dozen times. Homeowners save a few bucks at the store and then pay for a major cleaning, or worse.