When I was laid off from my job in early 2025, I knew I'd need to tighten up my budget to make ends meet until I found my next role. Naturally, in the throes of unemployment, I decided to make the most irrational financial decision and pick up one of the most expensive sports as a new hobby: ice-skating. Growing up, I begged my mom for skating lessons, and she eventually agreed. However, even at 10 years old, I felt so much older than the other kids in my class, so I stopped going. Fast forward