Sous vide machines are like $40. No more tough steaks.
Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
41–50 of 618 posts
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#42I’d like to be contrarian here and suggest that if you happen to be possessed of a sudden impulse to buy something, but you can’t identify any particular thing that you need, consider putting that amount of money into an investment or retirement account instead of searching for a trinket to buy. That way you are scratching the itch and you’ll be better off later on. In other words, you can have your cake and eat it t…
I've done this for vacations: Put in 50K into a mutual fund, and every year we use 5% of it for a guilt-free vacation.
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#43Recently got some over-ear Bluetooth headphones with active noise cancelling for 150 euro.
I knew the audio quality would be worse than with my cabled studio headphones, but the ANC is just amazing in noisy environments - especially while on public transport. I used to hate taking the train for longer rides because it'd be hit or miss, but with the headphones I'm actually looking up to it. Also looking up to trying them on a flight.
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#44Under $100:
- Air fryer / Countertop Convection Oven: Good for lots of cooking, fast, crisps well
- Collapsible wagon: Easiest way to transport things places. Previously would drive to target etc. for lots of stuff, now just wheel it.
- Global Entry: Gives you TSA PreCheck. Returning from International Travel is like returning from Domestic Travel.
- Electric Toothbrush: Automated pause means I brush longer than before
- Lyft/Baywheels e-bike membership: No need to worry about parking or keeping bike. Faster than cars in SF often. 2x as fast as trains usually.
- Command Strips: Easiest way to stick things on walls. Cheap from Costco
- Costco Membership: Higher quality of customer. Makes everything better
- Cast Iron / Carbon Steel pans: These are great, and a lot less trouble than people make them out to be. I do wash them myself (no dishwasher) which is primary annoyance, but the oiling is easy and they do stay non-stick!
- Carbon Steel knives: I picked up a couple in Japan, wife had some from SF. They're great.
Over $1000:
- Cleaners: $200/mo
- Google Home/Nest speakers and smart lights: Nice to talk to things to turn them off when tired, shows photos of friends etc. Will have to give up the screens when child is born but till then it's nice.
- Amex Platinum: $650/yr (or something) Centurion Lounges are great. Upgrades at hotels are nice.
- Cordless Waterpik w/ storage reservoir: I still don't use as often as I should, but I do use it
Things that didn't quite work out as I was hoping:
- straight edge razor: used it for 2 years, not worth the effort
- car rooftop storage: used it rarely, it was worth it for then, but not usually
- cheaper credit cards: just spent money, not worthwhile
- Oculus: I bought every one that came out and I played with them for a while and then gave them up. Primarily Beat Saber using sideloaded tracks (which is where a lot of the fun is for me).
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#45Under $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…
I see that the cheapest Ember is now $130. My first-gen is about six years old, and the battery is about shot. I hesitate to drop another $150-ish on a new mug, but OTOH, is consistently hot coffee worth $25/year? Yeah, it probably is to me, so I'm going to have to suck it up soon.
You can buy only a replacement mug (without coaster/charger). Also, get in contact with customer support mentioning the battery, they usually offer a discount code.
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#46<$1000:
I bought a digital piano to learn to play music. I feel that learning an instrument has had an enormous effect on my life. It's great for getting those synapses going, and find it very relaxing to play after a hard day.
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#47Under $100 - Ember mug. No more reheating coffee a few times/day or trying to drink cold coffee. I was surprised at how much I enjoy it. A nice napkin holder that is easy to pull napkins from. Vertical magazine/tablet organizer. Whiteboard next to my desk. Anything simple that makes a frequent chore or task 50% easier. Under $1000 - Twice/week 'house helper' who does dishes and laundry. My wife travels a few weeks/mo…
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?
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#48I used to be utilitarian and had the minimal amount of everything around the house but I caved in and started buying duplicates. 1/2 cup measuring cup for pet food? I no longer use the same one as baking, I just bought another and now it lives in the container/bag of food. Measuring spoon for supplement powder? Same thing, it lives in the jar now. For under $100 you could buy every duplicate you'll need around your h…
I have the same policy for most cheapo stuff. Like measuring tapes.
My good one is always Somewhere(tm), so I just bought a dozen cheap ones from Ikea. They're good enough for random "does this fit there" -measurements and there's enough of them so that it's impossible to lose them ALL at the same time :D
I also have so many screw drivers, torx bits and 10mm sockets that it's impossible to lose them all. Are they the best quality? No. But it's more important to find one when I need one.
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#49A bi-weekly house cleaner. Saved my marriage!
Did that a decade ago and it saved my marriage as well :D I'd lived alone before marrying and I did all my chores, but my tolerance for messy stuff until I got to action was way more than my wife's.
I don’t think people talk about this enough. You can be the poster boy for modern men doing all the chores and taking care of your household all on your own without wife or mother around and a 1950s nuclear family house wife would be proud af.
You are still going to get into arguments if your idea of what „clean and tidy“ means is different from the definition of your partner.
Re: Ask HN: Life-changing purchases since 2020? (Under $100 and under $1000)
#50Under $1000
A hoselink hose. Pricy but worth every penny when you need to reel it in or pull it out.
Under $100
The Konnected smart garage door opening
Far superior to the company that took much of their business behind a paywall