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Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

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Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#371

Post by gcatalfamo »

chubot wrote: post #334
therealdrag0 wrote: post #264

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Re headphones: is it possible you haven’t found a pair that fits well? I’ve tried many many (highly rated) cans over the years and most hurt my years after some time. But now I have Bose QC and the way they fit around my ears without touching them is awesome. I wear them constantly even without audio playing. It’s almost a comfort object now lol.

Well the physical comfort isn't really the main issue, but yeah I guess I don't like having something resting on my ears for more than say 30-60 minutes at a time. I would flip it on its head: Why headphones? To me the only advantages of headphones are (1) not disturbing people near you and (2) traveling. For everything else I would use speakers! The other things I don't like are: - the cable following me around, esp…

the problem with speakers - which I love - is that they don't live well with a microphone as two separate peripherals.

How did you solve this?

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#372

Post by scns »

chubot wrote: post #58

High quality floor standing speakers, although I would say the average person can get almost the same QOL improvement from $500 bookshelf speakers. I use them for music, movies/TV, watching videos on YouTube including technical ones, and even occasionally video conferencing. Wearing headphones for more than 30 minutes is fatiguing and uncomfortable for me. Listening to people's voices on tiny laptop or iPad speakers…

As an owner of two pair (3-way & 5-way) of Backes & Müller active speakers with Dynamic-Membrane-Control (https://www.backesmueller.de/en/b-m-technology.html). I urge you to try a pair of good half-open Headphones. I use these: https://global.beyerdynamic.com/dt-880-edition.html

Their half-open build improves mid and bass reproduction, compared to fully open cans.

A revelation for me, can wear them all day, no cutoff from outside. Gave them to my mother to test them, she was amazed too. All parts replaceable. Made in Germany. There are is even a low resistance version, if you want to save battery on the go: https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-Premium-32-Over-Ear-Ster...

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#373

Post by scns »

therealdrag0 wrote: post #264
chubot wrote: post #58

High quality floor standing speakers, although I would say the average person can get almost the same QOL improvement from $500 bookshelf speakers. I use them for music, movies/TV, watching videos on YouTube including technical ones, and even occasionally video conferencing. Wearing headphones for more than 30 minutes is fatiguing and uncomfortable for me. Listening to people's voices on tiny laptop or iPad speakers…

Re headphones: is it possible you haven’t found a pair that fits well? I’ve tried many many (highly rated) cans over the years and most hurt my years after some time. But now I have Bose QC and the way they fit around my ears without touching them is awesome. I wear them constantly even without audio playing. It’s almost a comfort object now lol.

Try comfy over ear half open cans like the DT880 i linked in my reply to GP

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#374

Post by rektide »

rgoulter wrote: post #5

I'd say getting into wet-shaving has saved me a lot of money, and led to a more luxurious shave. The cost of safety-razor blades vs cartridge blades alone should makes it worth looking into.

I was very happy switching to a double edged safety razor, a decade ago.

18 months ago or so I upgraded to good battery powered clippers/trimmers. The trimmers are just the start of the investment. Lube & 5-in-1 cleaner are both consumables that are ongoing but not bad. But wow, the clippers are all fixed size, not adjustable, & buying a set was about as much as the clippers themselves. Very pricey. But wow, my ability to trim & maintain myself has gone way way up. I used to use an Oster and sometimes scissors+comb, and I got by, but this is so much more consistent & even & easy & fun to do.

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#375

Post by rektide »

a hammock chair. a zero gravity chair. a patio umbrella. hanging outside is nice. a velcro'ed up bugscreen for my patio. natural anti-mosquito incense. hats for the sun.

a zojurushi thermos or two. tea is always hot. i can brew it in the thermos & enjoy whenever. matcha & the bamboo kit for it.

ergonomic devices. split keyboard. an adjustable height laptop tray (sit laptop on it to raise screen & let bt keyboard go underneath). a gooseneck tablet arm. lenovo bluetooth trackpoint keyboard. gas spring monitor arms.

a Rode Go wireless mic & lavalier for discrete audio recording. a steel series arctis pro wireless for walking around on a call or zoom. good battery powered lights, for video, vidchat, as a work light, & an evening outdoor light. a gooseneck clamp to camera mount.

collapsible water bottles. a soda stream. shelving. good usb-pd battery packs. plants. a kobo e-reader. a moonman m2 fountain pen got me journaling on paper again. lots & lots of packing cubes, to organize my stuff (& sometimes pack it). a metcal soldering iron. chromecast audio devices aplenty. command hooks.

decent skin care products. electric tooth brush, does a better job. dental floss picks, much easier to use than floss, always tensioned. good battery trimmers, the blade kit, blade lube & cleaner. vibrating foam roller.

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#376

Post by perrohunter »

Djon wrote: post #335

Herman Miller Embody chair, not just fixed my broken posture after sitting on crappy 40$ chair from Craigslist for 4 years, but improved my back, posture and develoepd good habit sitting with straight back.

I agree with You so much, got a Herman Miller right before the pandemic and I can sit for 12 hours in it without discomfort

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#377

Post by sarnu »

bot41 wrote: post #208
exabrial wrote: post #148

A mountain bike. Every measure of my health has improved and I've never traveling all over to hit bike parks and trails. I've spent more time outdoors this summer than I have the last 5 years.

What brand? I recently got a road bike but honestly don't love it. I think I would prefer a mountain bike.

Also consider a gravel bike. Currently, it's my favourite type of bike. You do not have to stick to paved roads, which are infested with unattentive/aggressive drivers. A gravel bike with wide enough tires is a good compromise between off-road capabilities and speed. If I had decent mtb trails near my doorstep maybe I would use the mtb more often. My road bike does not see much use anymore.

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#378

Post by nefitty »

paledot wrote: post #239
makx wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While not technically a "purchase", I also must say that this year, no single product even came close to the donations I made to those who protect the environment and fight climate change. Now, every time I consider a purchase I ask myself: "do I really need this?" and if the answer is no, I forgo the purchase and donate the same amount of money instead. This "negative consumption" turns my feelings of gloom and help…

Our main causes are environment, poverty and homelessness, and disability. Most of our charities are local, such as each of the major homeless shelters in our city. Medicins Sans Frontières and Sierra Club are our two international-level charities, but I hesitate to offer endorsements. Due diligence is important when donating larger sums.

GiveWell has a really great guide for picking charities. It helped me narrow down where to direct my giving.

https://www.givewell.org/charities/top-charities/main

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#379

Post by Gustomaximus »

jjav wrote: post #341

Bang for the buck, my best purchase ever has been a jackhammer. Soil around here is very hard. For years I struggled to dig even the shallowest of holes for planting things, laying pipes, etc. Holes that would take me months to dig, one painful weekend at a time, I can now get done in 10 minutes. Weirdest tool I've bought, but it has saved me literally years of effort at this point. I guess the generalized message is…

Is it dry there? While a jackhammer is probably even more effective I find if I wait for rain or soak down soil its much easier to dig where I live (Brisbane/clay soil).

Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

#380

Post by 205guy »

brtkdotse wrote: post #356

The second we bought a house I started hunting for a trailer for our car. It’s a sub-€2000-investment but I’d wager it saves us on the order of 75-100 hours per year, every year. It also works as a temporary waste buffer meaning a lot of clutter is out of sight and out of mind until the next trip to Goodwill/waste disposal.

Seconded. It’s not as common in the US to have a trailer with a car (as opposed to a pickup truck), but you can do so much (and replace an expensive truck with a cheap car). Dump runs, green waste, buying appliances or bulky items, cleanups, helping friends, etc.

I’m not even sure my car is rated for towing (the hitch is for a bike rack that I also use) but as long as the load is small (under 1000 lbs) and the road is flat, it’s fine (I do have the lights harness and safety chains). I can’t tow a boat or a horse trailer over the Rockies, but I could take a jet ski to the local lake.

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