Used to believe you needed proper gear for every job, right? Then I fixed a loose cabinet hinge with a spoon and a dime. Now I see the value in using whatever's handy.

Question the need for a full PSA over some wet mortar. Lots of folks screw up their first mix, it's normal. So your bricks sank, you fixed it, no permanent damage. I've seen way worse mistakes that people just lived with. It's a front step, not a foundation, so it's not that serious. You learned a lesson, now move on.

Oh, absolutely! I used to lose my mind when my phone would die at work, taking all my saved recipes and schedules with it. Now I write down important notes in a cheap paper notebook as a backup. That old school method saved me when my tablet crashed right before a huge catering order last month.