My console says "$ is not a function", how do you fix jQuery conflicts?

That error means $ is not pointing at jQuery when your code runs, usually because two jQuery versions are loaded, or another library (Prototype, a marketing script) took over the $ alias. We fix it the right way: scope jQuery with jQuery.noConflict() and an explicit closure, or wire it as a proper RequireJS dependency so your script always receives the correct jQuery instance. No more guessing which $ wins.