Once you find a couple of coats you like, consider getting it used somewhere like Poshmark, Mercari, or eBay. You're going to have to look closely at the photos if you go that route, but you can save a good chunk of change.

I switched to white vinegar years and years ago and never looked back.

I like to use the Transit app to plan trips and monitor incoming buses and trains, but it's more of a suggestion than a requirement.

Well, the buses are called Metrobus, so maybe it still counts?

Hair brushes are actually pretty easy to clean! Clear out the hair with a comb, a rattail, and/or scissors, and then soak any gunk off of the bristles with a mixture of warm water and dish soap or shampoo. I usually let it sit for ~15 minutes and then scrub it a little against my hand, rinse it out, then let it dry completely before using it again. There are lots of tutorials on YouTube with tips for cushion-type brushes or natural fiber, &c.

I don't know that it's specifically BIFL, but I like my Oxo one. It's punched metal instead of a wire mesh.

I saw some at Pluma in NoMa, but I haven't tried it

I second Transit, but OP says they don't like it. OP, have you checked that your settings are the way you want? If you're having convoluted routes, do you maybe have "minimize walking" turned on? Or certain buses turned off?

I can't find any convincing explanation of why these work, but I swear by them. The ones I have are basically just sweatbands with an inward facing little button that presses into my wrist and calms my carsickness 🤷🏻‍♀️

I got my Bombas years and years ago and just started darning the little holes that are beginning to show up. Still going very strong, especially if you catch the thinning spots early.