I am a 46 year old male, but hopefully this post will help others as well. Of course OTC med suggestions may vary based on health conditions and other medications an individual is taking. Assuming neither health conditions nor other medications influence anything here regarding OTC, let's see what people suggest...

Hopefully these questions can help me to become more knowledgeable with OTC meds, and not rely on appointments for colds/flus as much. I am trying to learn a lot and I understand this is a fairly ambitious post.

I likely have a sinus infection and have had them throughout my life. Similar symptoms as usual; feel weak, pressure on head, headache, a little yellow hard phlegm in nose and throat, mostly in AM. I sleep best with the window down and fan on, but fear these things may make my issues worse.

I now have special med insurance. I have $ for OTC meds. Trying to decide what all to buy for now and what to have on hand throughout the year. I rarely use any type of OTC medication, but I feel I should learn more about them and not waste the insurance money I am now given.

It is difficult to understand when to use Ibuprofen vs acetaminophen vs aspirin vs naproxen. Do I buy all of them and need to know when to use each?

Seems easy to accidentally double up on meds. A lot of flu/cold OTC meds are a combo of one or two of those pain reducers plus a fever reducer, anti-inflammatory, decongestant (Sudafed), cough suppressant (Delsym), antihistamine (Benadryl, Claritin, Zytec), expectorant (Mucinex). Do some people just buy each type of thing, while others buy the ones with many things in them? Main ones I know are NyQuil, TheraFlu, Robitussin, DayQuil for non-drowsy. Tylenol Cold Flu Severe seems popular, spray or cough drops for sore throat (Cepacol). I dislike nose sprays but Afrin seems worth it.

Of course fluids and rest are important, salt water gargle helps sore throats. I use NeilMed (instead of Neti Pot).

Aside from buying stuff for cold, flu, sinus infection; I also plan to buy a 1st aid kit, it even covers things like floss, toothpaste, toothbrush, and other random things on the list.