Okay, so I finally decided to try installing a mod. Specifically Yuikichigaii's Y.U.P, because from what I gather from the reviews, it does that ever-valuable thing of fixing the game to the state it should always have been. Trouble is, I've never dabbled in mods so I don't know the first thing about installing them.

I've downloaded the patch. According to the author's description, I am supposed to "add the .esm to my load order". HOW exactly does my technologically challenged self do it? I can't even find where the downloaded mod's files have been placed...

Help?

I would check out some videos from Gopher. They might be dated now but it should give you some information on how to use mods.

This one is more geared for New Vegas. Check only the videos you need.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0E5E8CA384409B11

This one is more around Fallout 3 but still useful for New Vegas since it deals with tools. Check only the videos you need

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL77ECC4B6194E1685

This one is geared for Skyrim but still has a lot of useful information for new mod users. Check only the videos that you need

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DdhDG41roBVJfNCqvO5MmKP

Mods for Fallout:NV should be installed to the following directory

\Steam\SteamApps\common\Fallout New Vegas\Data

In the Data folder, you'll find the .esm and .esp files (when applicable).

To activate mods you may use the Fallout:NV Launcher, this is the first screen to get when loading Fallout:NV from Steam. Click the Data Files button and check the mod (.esm or .esp) in question.

If you use the NMM, then it will be a slightly different procedure.