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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)

#401

Post by syabro »

fiatpandas wrote: post #289
silcoon wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nespresso machines hide the coffee inside plastic capsules. Why? 1. You don’t know what coffee you get, you cannot really vary the coffee anymore and maybe try a different local one (where I live we have local coffee). Then you don’t even know if it’s just 100% coffee or they add something else 2. Why consuming plastic for a simple thing like a coffee? Plastic is NOT recycled in most of the countries and its bad for…

They are aluminum and are recyclable. They even have a recycling program. Assuming you aren’t brewing a flavored one, it’s only roasted coffee inside. I was a bit of a coffee geek and went all out on grinding and brew methods, but then got real busy… nespresso makes good coffee and is super fast. The downside as you mention is you are stuck with their varieties and can’t geek out on trying different roasts / regions…

> The downside as you mention is you are stuck with their varieties and can’t geek out on trying different roasts / regions outside of what they offer.

Not exactly. In Thailand there are a lot of local roasters thad produce a compatible pods with fresh coffee from different origins. Also there are washable pods you can fill by yourself with new stuff, use, wash repeat

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

#402

Post by scruple »

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've had my safety razor (a Merkur) since 2008 or 2009 and I am still working through the original pack of 1,000 razorblades that I got with it. I keep a beard year-round so I don't really shave much. Incredible value purchase, with very minimal effort it has remained practically as good as new.

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

#404

Post by ivraatiems »

Both of mine are sleep related today. I've been on a quest to improve my sleep for years and these two things have given me the most success.

Under $100: A weighted blanket. Okay, many of these are just over $100 - in the $130-200 range - but under $100 exists too. So comfy and makes it so much easier to fall asleep. Also great for panic attacks or anxiety generally.

Under $1,000: A CPAP machine. Technically mine was free with insurance, but for many people the cost will be $500-$1,000. If you have sleep apnea, or even suspect you do, please please please get a sleep study and a machine. It has changed my life.

Also, bonus, under $100,000: An electric vehicle. I love my Chevy Bolt. It's the best car I've ever owned and I doubt I'll ever go back to gas for a daily driver.

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

#405

Post by ralphc »

manmal wrote: post #75

Under $100: A used Instantpot, ideally the Duo Crisp if you can get one. The normal one can also make yogurt though, which might also be interesting. The great thing about these is that you don’t need to babysit them. Have a call or wanna go for a walk, and then eat? Just turn it on and come back anytime after it’s done. It will keep food warm until you turn it off. Bonus tip: Buy two and/or an air fryer to get more…

What were your food comas were before, and how have they improved? What supplements work for you?

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

#406

Post by scruple »

Under $100:

Gymnastics rings and straps. A Lebert Equalizer.

Under $1000:

A squat rack, barbell, iron plates and bumper plates. Adjustable bench, adjustable dumbbells. A collection of kettlebells.

I started taking my strength and body composition seriously in 2018. To that point, I had been a (ultra)marathoner for the previous decade. Prior to that, I was in the military and trained in a hybrid fashion. But I had gotten pretty out of shape between separating and picking up endurance events. But then I had neglected strength for such a long time.

Today I am stronger and with a better physique than I had over 20 years ago. I also have a resting heart rate that's in the mid-40s, while I myself am in the mid-40s. I lift 2-4 days per week, and I do conditioning 2-4 days per week. I cycle my training with the seasons, I'm currently moving into a more lifting focused phase of training as we move into and through the colder months. In the spring and summer, I focus more on endurance.

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

#407

Post by technothrasher »

andrewstuart wrote: post #373
technothrasher wrote: post #367

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't done any work with radium dialed clocks and/or watches... yet.

A friend of mine had many hundreds of vintage clocks and he filled his bedroom with them on shelves and put his bed in the middle. Until I pointed out they were radioactive.

I've got mostly antiques at my house, 1750-1880. Not a ton of vintage 20th century stuff that would have radium. I was looking a bit ago at the old W. M. Gilbert Clock Company factory building in Connecticut that was for sale (not actually to buy, just thought it was interesting) and the biggest issue for whoever was going to be the buyer was that it was quite contaminated from the radium dial painting they did there in the 1930's.

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

#409

Post by riku_iki »

alumic wrote: post #4

Finally bought a rice cooker 6 months ago. No idea why I hadn’t done it sooner. Perfect rice every single time. I believe that qualifies. Edit: I also bought an emergency jumpstart battery for my car. Saved me twice when my battery suddenly started having issues. Went from feeling “stuck” to back on the road in under 2 minutes.

is instant pot much more versatile device?

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

#410

Post by JamesLeonis »

Under $100: A cooking scale ~$30. It turns every bowl into a measuring cup, so recipes become fairly universal and easier to memorize.

Under $1000: Braun S9 Sport electric shaver ~$200. I can take it in the shower, streamlining my morning routine.

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