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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)

#231

Post by hairywalt »

stavros wrote: post #169
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…

Over here we have these peroxide things you can get at the pharmacy. You pour three drops in your ear, it foams up and all the wax goes away. Do you not have those?

Those never did much for me I'm afraid

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

#232

Post by smeej »

echoangle wrote: post #89
smeej wrote: post #53

Under $1,000, but just barely over $100: Semi-recumbent stationary bike that fits under my standing desk. I've never been coordinated enough to get the hang of walking on the treadmill and typing, but pedaling slowly all day I can do! I've lost 45 lbs so far this year, and adding up the calorie estimate for each day (I've been tracking) and dividing by the 3500 calories people say are in a pound, about 20 of them hav…

Interesting, do you have that thing at home? Or do you work at an office and have it there? I don’t really know how I would do that myself.

It's at home. I already had an adjustable-height desk behind my sofa (unusual setup, but it works great in my space), but like I said, not that coordinated.

I've only worked remotely since way before covid, so it works out for my situation.

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

#233

Post by smeej »

ericb wrote: post #163
smeej wrote: post #53

Under $1,000, but just barely over $100: Semi-recumbent stationary bike that fits under my standing desk. I've never been coordinated enough to get the hang of walking on the treadmill and typing, but pedaling slowly all day I can do! I've lost 45 lbs so far this year, and adding up the calorie estimate for each day (I've been tracking) and dividing by the 3500 calories people say are in a pound, about 20 of them hav…

What model do you use?

This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0789F4Z2M

The $122 price is about what I paid for it. Dunno when they have ever actually sold it for $350.

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

#234

Post by thebruce87m »

nojvek wrote: post #134

Under $1k - electric scooter for $600 from hiboy. Costs nothing to recharge, no insurance, no license. It was a one time payment with recurring fun on every use. Under $100 - tracydog vibrator. More spice.

Assuming the US - are they legal to ride on roads or pavements? In the UK they are not.

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

#235

Post by dmckeon »

bigyikes wrote: post #112
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…

I can’t live without a bidet but the Tushy ones are no good - tight knobs and awkward spray angle.

Luxe Neo bidet attachment - easy to tee into supply, fits under toilet seat, options for rear/male only, or both rear/front male/female separate spray nozzles.

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

#236

Post by mikestew »

azundo wrote: post #213
madamelic wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh, I wasn't even aware they were that much. I could've sworn they were like $70 - $90 last I saw. That sucks.

They're often much cheaper at Costco if that's an option and you don't care about a specific color. They are a complete game changer though, especially if you're a new parent.

Thanks for the tip, I’m seeing them for $99 right now. Any color you want, assuming you want stainless steel.

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

#237

Post by jareds »

sn9 wrote: post #180
askvictor wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even for people with good eyesight, an instant read thermometer is a game changer. Completely takes the guesswork out of cooking meat perfectly, also excellent for cakes, potatoes, and more. There are very decent ones for less that $20.

I would add an immersion circulator to cook food sous vide as similarly impactful here, though getting a good thermometer is more necessary. It's made meal prepping incredibly easy and food is always perfectly cooked. You never have to eat a dry or overcooked piece of meat again.

I have one of those but don't use it that often. I tend to cook burgers which work better on the grill. While I could cook sausage with it it's easier to do it on the grill to get a char. I do like it for chicken and stake though.

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

#238

Post by Cyph0n »

_boffin_ wrote: post #227
Cyph0n wrote: post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

+1 to both. If you want more consistent rice, invest in a fuzzy logic rice cooker ($150-$300).

I find this comment funny. Go to your local grocery store and pick a rice cooker up for $15 and just add the rice and eyeball the water. …that much for a rice cooker—that’s nuts!

If you’re just starting out, then sure.

But if you cook a lot of rice, it’s a noticeable step up in both quality and consistency. They are extremely common in Japan afaik.

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

#239

Post by chrisweekly »

askvictor wrote: post #178
chrisweekly wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(also breaking rules to concur) EightSleep mattress cover is a GAME-CHANGER. Precise control over preferred temp, and detailed/accurate logging of sleep metrics == way better sleep, and knowledge of its relative quality (metrics for which let me measure the impact of different variables).

Is it _that_ much better than a wifi-controlled two-zone electric blanket?

I've never tried a cooling electric blanket. My wife has struggled w insomnia for a long time, and the eightsleep tracking was almost as much a draw as the cooling.

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

#240

Post by hairywalt »

Scoundreller wrote: post #129
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…

In my area, they’re all labelled as “nasal syringes” because you’re not supposed to irrigate your ears randomly. The words of my pharmacist: “I don’t recommend you use this for your ears. I do it myself, but officially I don’t recommend it” Kinda how Q-Tips boxes mention all kinds of uses except jamming them into your ears for hygiene and pleasure.

Here's a UK study that concludes:

"Advising patients with ears blocked by wax to try bulb syringing before irrigation is effective and acceptable, and could significantly reduce the use of NHS resources."

So I feel they are a safe method of self treatment.

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