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Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

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Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#151

Post by heywire »

Under $100 - an electric head shaver.

I started balding in my mid 20’s, so I shaved my head with a BIC disposable and shaving cream. I kept up this routine for probably 15 years before seeing a curved electric razor made for heads advertised to me. I picked one up on a whim, and it has been great! It takes me around 1 minute each morning compared to 5-10 before, and I no longer have to worry about nicks. It uses about 1% battery each shave, so I only have to charge it every couple months. It truly has been a great quality of life improvement.

[1] the one I use is called the Hummingbird MK3, available on Amazon for around $60.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#152

Post by idontwantthis »

rdoherty wrote: post #80
mywittyname wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, this is the fourth Ember recommendation I've seen, so I'll bite. Why is it better than an insulated carafe and an insulated mug?

It will hold my coffee at the perfect temperature all day. Also if the battery runs out I can put it on its charger and after ~5 mins it will start heating my now cold coffee back up to temperature. I thought it was kinda gimmicky too before I bought it but I am surprised at how great it is to have perfect temp coffee all the time.

Why do you take all day to drink a coffee? Mine is definitely gone by the time it gets cold in an insulated mug.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#153

Post by BurdensomeCount »

foobarian wrote: post #125
K0balt wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ll Third a bidet. Once you experience the exhilarating bliss of cleaning your nether regions with fresh, clean water, you’ll never willingly go back to smearing excrement around your fiddly bits with the dry paper.

Sorry if this is getting into TMI territory but how does the bidet avoid dissolving the unwanted material and spraying it all over everywhere? And how does one dry this without toilet paper?

It works under the same principle as pressure washing, as long as the water pressure is high enough the final result is completely clean. Too high pressure can lead to material flying around everywhere but there's a very large range where the pressure is high enough to clean you but not enough to spray things around.

Drying is a personal preference and isn't as important anymore as you're clean down there now. Toilet paper is one option but you don't have to do it (I don't dry for reference) as it'll dry out by itself in a few minutes once you put your underwear on to absorb the water (which is fine because you're completely clean down there so it really is just clean water left).

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#154

Post by crazcarl »

m4tthumphrey wrote: post #121
hairywalt wrote: post #61

Under $100 - an ear bulb syringe I get blocked ears due to wax and it's really negatively impactful to conversation etc. Plus they would block when flying/swimming which ruined a few holidays. I used to go to my local (UK) GP which was very inconvenient due to appointment timings etc. Then somebody recommended buying a bulb syringe for self-treatment. Mine cost about £4 and has been totally game changing. I can sort…

Hey, I have just started to develop this problem and have been putting off going to the clinic. Can you link to the one you have please?

Check out the ones that have a spray bottle attached rather than just a bulb as it allows for way more water before needing to refill. I think it was popularized under the name "Elephant Ear Wax Removal Kit" but there are knockoffs now as well that are the same thing.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#155

Post by askvictor »

dgacmu wrote: post #73

It wasn't under $1k but you can do some options for close-ish to that: a cargo e-bike. It's been amazing and has let us remain a one car family despite two kids with a lot of activities. I adore it. About to hit 2k miles on it.

I got a (non-cargo) e-bike for close to USD1000. Definitely a game changer - faster and more reliable than trains or driving to get to work. Any trip with 5km just becomes a no-friction option, where otherwise it might be tempting to get into the car. An e-bike is an excellent replacement for the second car (or, if you live in a convenient enough place, first car)

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#156

Post by asalahli »

prawn wrote: post #146

I’ve mentioned it before in a similar thread, but if you shave your head, get a Pitbull Skullshaver that can be used in the shower or while walking around the house, etc. About $100 and adding it to a shower routine is great. A wand for the vegetable garden hose. About $70 and much better than a normal gun/nozzle for watering plants at the base if not all of your gardens are raised. $500ish: 12v car fridge. I use min…

Which brand of fridge have you got?

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#157

Post by infecto »

Kiro wrote: post #141
miloignis wrote: post #29

Under $100: 1) A bidet! Got one in the pandemic when toilet paper was scarce and I wanted to be more efficient, but now I'll never go back. The Tushy ones are good. 2) A safety razor & accessories. I get a cheaper, closer, less irritating shave, and I get to customize every part of it. This can certainly be a rabbithole you spend a lot of money on, but you can get a solid customized starter kit for under $100 that wi…

All bidets I've looked at including Tushy seem really complicated to install (basically having to redo the plumbing) and I don't understand how so many people can just buy and install one like it's nothing. Am I imagining things? Edit: Not in the US and the plumbing looks a bit like this, but without the nuts so you can't easily disconnect a part of it: https://static.byggahus.se/attachments/images/large/341/3416...

US based plumbing. You are imagining things. Most/all resi toilets in the US use a flex hose to connect the toilet to your water supply. Its usually a threaded connection. All these style of bidets simply have a T off of this connection.

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#159

Post by 0xcafecafe »

jesperlang wrote: post #131

Under $100: A second hand piano for $80. Learning an instrument is a deeply satisfying experience if you stick to it (as well as frustrating and confusing). Literally no end to how much you can learn. It has given me hours of “in the zone” moments, so well needed in a stressful world. I also see (hear?) music in a different light and can understand it better.

I am interested in learning piano myself having just gotten one for my kid. Did you learn it by yourself? If so any resources you can point in my direction? Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)

#160

Post by foresto »

madamelic wrote: post #2

Under $100: - Ember mug - Why: lets me drink tea because I hate cold tea. Bleck. Under $1000: - 49" ultra-wide monitor to replace my dual monitor - Why: I use i3-wm. It works fantastically on it. - 5.1 Soundbar for computer - Why: I don't have to wear headphones constantly and also sound quality is so much better - Mount 50" TV above my desk - Why: Allows others to hang out in my office with me while I work / play ga…

> 5.1 Soundbar

5.1 typically means surround sound, but a sound bar (as I know it) sits in front of the listener. How does yours do both?

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