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

I now use a smartphone again, as practicalities of life demand it. But I am switching to an old sluggish iPhone with a 4.X inch screen to hopefully put frictions in my use of it. I will see if that helps.

You can disable Safari in iOS. Search for “Content & Privacy Restrictions” in Settings. Then turn Safari off in “Allowed Apps & Features”. The app will disappear after a few minutes.

You can also turn off the Fitness app this way, even if you have an Apple Watch, and Car Play if you don’t like it for some reason, such as your car auto-connecting.

There is also the Xiaomi/Qin/Duoqin F30. It’s a T9 phone with Android 11. But the “Westernized” version with Google Play Store has tampered with software (hacks applied) as the original Chinese software doesn’t have Google stuff nor is the phone Play verified. Then there are questions about the Chinese software itself. I’ve gone deep into the rabbit hole of trying to verify it’s secure but couldn’t to a satisfactory standard.

The F30 is still considered a dumbphone for how limiting the T9 keyboard and its tiny screen are. You won’t enjoy consuming or searching for any kind of content on it. But you can install many modern Android apps if you are comfortable with the security situation. And that’s quite important sometimes to not get isolated from people, to bank, for 2FA, streaming music, and a few other things. It’s basically then a capable but highly inconvenient phone, which I think is excellent.

Still, if you want privacy and security, how many days are you willing to sink into tinkering with these Xiaomi/Qin/Duoqin devices? You will need at least a few, possibly more.

It’s much less hassle to just get whatever dumb phone with a feature OS you can get on Amazon or Walmart.

- A good old fashioned digital timer for $6. I set up the time and do something, like work, read, hobbies, etc. I don't get distracted by other things on phone. I don't have to keep the screen on and use apps like Forest or other pomodoro timers, and it saves battery. I waste way less time now getting distracted. So, it's like a pomodoro timer but my intervals are higher- 1 hr to 2 hr.

- A basic smartwatch for $20 that tracks my sleep and physical activity. I get 8000 steps of walking everyday now, and are more aware of stress. I can now use stress reduction and avoidance techniques before I get stressed, with heart rate monitoring. It really changed my life.

- Several entry level fountain pens in $20/$30 like Lamy Safari, Pilor Metropolitan, etc. You wouldn't believe how great the writing experience becomes when start using FPs.

- A Ukulele at $30, and it is so much easier than guitar for the easier things. Now I can sing and play an instrument. I tried guitar, piano, flute, but they didn't stick.

Under $1000

- At just over $100, a Kindle with background light for reading. I love paper books but Kindles are much more convenient. I read much more and in more situations.

Under $1000 - an e-scooter. It has completely transformed my relationship with my city. I rarely drive a car anywhere anymore. If, god forbid, my e-scooter were to break or get stolen tomorrow, I would immediately purchase a replacement.