Reference management is one thing LaTeX is really good at. Especially if you use it with a literature management system such as Zotero.

VSCode + LaTeX Workshop Extension is what I use today, but I would recommend TeXStudio as editor if you don’t need any specific features from VSCode.

might as well cut up old yogurt containers

Dumb TV+(mini)PC is the way

Some filaments look much different when printed than they look on the spool. Matte, shiny, multi-colored ones for example.

I know you said you’re too lazy to switch to a different brewing app, but you should really check out kleiner Brauhelfer

I bought a cheap dual drive clone a long time ago for my Ender 3 which I’m quite happy with.