It’s the little things that keep the spark alive—like passive-aggressively adjusting the thermostat, or pretending you didn’t see the mountain of laundry on the couch. 

So here are 12 simple, completely foolproof ways to keep your significant other on their toes. You know—so they never get too comfortable thinking they understand you.

Monday is Labor Day in the US, AKA the calendar equivalent of a participation trophy for surviving another summer of climate change and chaos, and nowhere near enough iced coffee to cope with either.
 
Here's hoping we exchange The Great 2025 Dumpster Fire for a bonfire and sweater weather in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the hard-earned fruits of your Labor Day weekend.

• What Your Grocery Basket Says About You 
• Sneak Peek: Life of a New Product
• Follow Us on X So the Boss Doesn't Fire Us, Plz

In a world of uncertainty, all of us want to know we can always count on our parents. Even if it's just counting on being embarrassed in the checkout line every Saturday at 8:15 A.M.

("Hey embarrassed, I'm Dad.")

This morning unlocked a new achievement for us: Coffee #5 before 10 AM. ¿Cinco cafés? En esta economía?? 

Meanwhile, I'm running in drought mode like I'm auditioning for Survivor: Windowsill Edition. I’m a cactus, Jessica, not a camel.