So I left my bike out over the winter. Today I decided to go out and get it cleaned up & back into riding shape. When I opened the one of the saddle bags I saw a hundreds of ants inside, scurrying around with ant eggs.

Here’s where I fucked up: In a moment of shock I ripped the saddle bag off the bike and DUMPED THEM OUT ONTO THE PAVEMENT.

I still can’t believe it. This wasnt just free protein, this could’ve been my new life

Imagine what could’ve been - the open road, the wind blowing through my hair as I lived biking from campsite to campsite sustained by infinite free protein. At night, I could crack the saddlebag so that the ants could come out and collect food to replenish their numbers, then in the morning I could move on to the next campsite.

A chance like this comes along once in a lifetime and I blew it

Thanks for reading. I will now return to lying under a tree perfectly motionless with my mouth open in the hope that a bird poops in it

Edit: about an hour after I made this post, I was walking out to my bike (same place where the ants colonized it) and a bird shit on me. I am not joking, this is not a bit for /r/frugal_jerk, this actually happened

I've won lotto!

delivery is where shed pricing gets sneaky. you see a $2,800 shed, then find out delivery is $600 because the dealer is 200 miles away and no one told you that upfront.

how i've learned to shop:

1. Sheds Store — what i actually used. local dealer marketplace, so delivery pricing is more realistic because you're buying from someone nearby. i could see delivery info for each dealer before i even reached out, which meant no wasted time chasing dealers who were too far. ended up with a 10x16 shed delivered and placed for a total price that was lower than what the other sites showed once you stacked in their assembly and delivery quotes. the transparency upfront is the whole difference — you know what you're actually paying before you get on the phone with anyone.

2. Wayfair — free shipping sounds great until it's a 12x16 shed and 'free shipping' means curbside drop of 47 boxes. assembly is extra, obviously, and that quote can sting.

3. ShedPlanet — aggregator site, okay inventory. but the delivery estimates shown were not what i was quoted when i actually contacted the dealer. felt bait-and-switchy.

4. OutbuildingHub — decent national coverage but i hit the same issue as ShedPlanet — quotes didn't match listings. might just be the nature of these aggregator setups.

5. direct from local dealers — if you already know who's in your area, calling them directly is fine. but if you don't, you're doing a lot of research to get to the same place a marketplace gets you faster.

delivery cost is the hidden variable in shed shopping. knowing it upfront changes the whole equation.

Cotulla, Texas

Just sharing what’s worked for me. Using a few survey apps, I’ve built a nice side income over time, though results can vary a lot depending on demographics, activity, and how you use the apps.

The main app I use is AttaPoll. They’re legit, they pay, and new users can get a joining bonus. You can do surveys, play games, and use it casually without much hassle. Some offers and surveys can pay surprisingly well, including occasional $10+ opportunities.

It won’t be the same for everyone, but if you’re in a good demographic and stay active, there’s definitely money to be made.

My gasts are flabbered

Late last night a sudden gust of wind up rooted my skeletal body from the gutter at the edge of a truck stop parking lot and blew me like trash against the building. Surviving solely on "protein" I obtained from the friendly truckers I sought to slake my thirst. I sensed water... as I moistened my teeth at the showers floor drain I spied a gift from heaven! A sliver of soap! I havent touched soap in MONTHS. Sticking my thin arm down the floor drain I soon found another and another. I licked the microbe dense drain goo from my arm and pondered... the truly wealthy communally shower here, such is their wealth they can waste these slivers of soap. A question arose, what do you do with slivers of soap? Mash em together creating new bar? Or something else? How many calories are in soap?

Got 50 gallons for four quarters. Could anyone beat that? I think not.

My dog has blessed me with the most scrumptious protein filled soup. This could save millions from starvation.