In a fix, nail-biting and feeling salty

Dear Rachel,

I’m sick and tired of “planned obsolescence.” I’m not even old enough to remember when people used to fix things when they broke. But I’m aware this was the case. I feel guilty sending things to the dump. But worse than that, I hate starting over. Life would be more satisfying if I could bring new life to everything from my toaster oven to my MacBook. There has to be other people like me. Can we start a commune or something?

– Junked

Dear TInker,

I, too, would like to fix things I have bought. By which I mean, I would like to hire someone to fix things for me. I personally have no desire to disassemble electronics or put them back together. That said … things are cheap nowadays. But, there’s so much cheap crap to buy that we go broke faster. My parents used the same hot plate from the day they were married until at least last Christmas. And they’re not broke. Broken, yes, but not broke.

– Unfixable, Rachel 

Dear Rachel,

Every time I take my dog to the vet, they chastise me for how long his nails are. But I can’t cut them because he fights me when I try. He’s also old and all his walks are on dirt, so they don’t wear down. And they stick out at funny angles so they don’t even touch the ground. Am a horrible pet parent?

– Nailed to the Cross

Dear Clickity Clack,

I don’t have near enough information to know if you’re a bad pet parent. I just know you’re a bad nail trimmer. Maybe you and your dog need a pact: Every time you trim one of his nails, you trim one of yours too. In just a few weeks, you’ll be really super motivated to cut his nails – or else to cheat on your pact. And you can’t do that. Not to the dog.

– Well trimmed, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

Tell me what is expected in this day and age of Airbnb (are we still boycotting them? Let’s just say “vacation rentals”). My friend and I just took a trip and rented a place for a week. The listing says “kitchen basics provided.”But there was no salt. No pepper. No oil. Nothing at all that counts as edible. Also, no tissues, no clothes hangers. I think this is inhospitable. My friend thinks it’s perfectly acceptable. How wrong is he, and how right am I?

– Guest Left Guessing

Dear Expected Visitor,

Do you remember when all us normal folks learned the word “disrupt?” Uber was disrupting taxis. Airbnb was disrupting hotels. I suspect we’re at the stage where the disruptors are about to be disrupted. I can see it now: A new brand of places to stay, one where your condiments and seasonings are guaranteed! I stand with you, salt and tissues should be standard. Maybe Airbnb’s planned obsolescence has arrived.

– Checked out, Rachel