Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022 • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#561

Post by bonestamp2 » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:33 PM UTC

__derek__ wrote: post #379

Havoc wrote: post #146

Sodastream. Has significantly increased the amount of water i drink and conversely decreased other crap being drunk High end ricecooker ended up getting more use than expected. USB KVM style switch to change mouse/kyb over between work and personal device

I didn't technically buy a Sodastream, but it's been a great addition. We used to regularly buy pads of Lacroix from Costco. Now it's just the plain fizzy water (with occasional home-made flavor experiments).

I use these to flavor my sodastream. 1pk per 1L of soda water. It's dehydrated (crystalized) real fruit: https://www.amzn.com/B008GE87BG/

I also use them in cocktails (about 1/4 packet per cocktail), put in first and pour cocktail ingredients over the crystals to dissolve (or shake if not using any carbonated ingredients).

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#562

Post by marcrosoft » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:33 PM UTC

cdjk wrote: post #265

pharmakom wrote: post #11

- all matching socks. No more time spent pairing. - clothes drying racks that hook onto radiators. Reduces drying time and clothes crumpling - wired mechanical keyboard. Wired is simpler than wireless. Quality ones have n-key support - bicycle fenders - digital wrist watch so that I check my phone less.

The all matching socks strategy breaks down over time. Eventually you need to buy more socks, and the new ones aren't as worn as the old ones, so you end up having to match them anyway. My solution to this is to buy a large batch of identical socks. Then when you need new ones, buy another large batch that are slightly different - e.g. grey hiking socks instead of black, or wool hiking socks that have a slightly diff…

Socks are so cheap I just throw them all out and get a new pack or two. It is like $6.99 once a year.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#563

Post by gausswho » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:33 PM UTC

swader999 wrote: post #540

jannw wrote: post #6

I work from home - with a 5 minute screensaver with complicated password required by corporate - USB MouseJiggler - https://www.amazon.com/Undetectable-Computer-Simulate-Moveme... Best - Purchase - Ever - !

My cat sleeps on a mat by my workstation. I put the mouse on the mat. Its a win for him and me.

Proof that avoiding corporate surveillance is a cat and mouse game!

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#564

Post by petepete » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:34 PM UTC

jimbobthemighty wrote: post #405

A Bamix immersion blender; powerful enough to blend frozen fruit in my morning smoothies and safe for a deep pot of soup that needs blending. Also makes top notch Hummus.

I got a Bamix for Christmas last year, I used it nearly every day.

The main things I use it for are frothing milk for lattes, making peanut and cashewnut butter and making soups of all kinds.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#565

Post by throw1234651234 » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:35 PM UTC

A solid computer chair mat that doesn't bunch up or shed. $15 wireless phone charger.

I don't buy anything, but these basics helped. Things over that amount that I think would be meaningful - good vacuum, good screen, good chair. Renting dumpster to throw away junk.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

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Post by Eumenes » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:35 PM UTC

formvoltron wrote: post #264

orm wrote: post #169

Instant Pot. Can be used as a rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker (mostly known for this last use) Though probably not as good for rice specifically as an actual high-end rice cooker, it greatly increased the range of foods I eat. Makes it easy to make nice one pot meals overnight for multiple days, you can make really good broth soups from chickens etc quickly, or slowly if you prefer. If you like to try tough…

Me too. Instant pot for the win. Haven't tried meat in it. It's been Indian curries and lentil soups & such. I also bought a 3 quart version for my motorhome!

Its wonderful for chilis, stews, pot roast, short ribs, etc. I've even made whole chickens in it and bone broth.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#567

Post by senthilnayagam » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:36 PM UTC

I bought 3 things with total under 100$. been working from home for last 2 years, due to space constrains adding big office style furniture is not feasible . back pain is starting for me, a small adjustable table which I can work while sitting in sofa, a small laptop stand which I can keep on my bed, and a good natural latex pillow if I am lying on stomach and having my elbow on it.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#568

Post by sarahdellysse » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:37 PM UTC

hasbot wrote: post #521

Not 2022, but in 2021 I switched all of my clothing to synthetic including socks and underwear. This made living in a high humidity area (90+ pretty much every day) soo much more comfortable.

this is really interesting and something I hadn't thought about. Could you provide some examples? I wanna look more into this

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#569

Post by robert_tweed » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:37 PM UTC

jhinds wrote: post #500

A small portable scanner. I don't take it anywhere I just got a portable one due to it's size so I can stick it in a drawer. I've been able to save a bunch of space and get rid of 99% of documents in my filing cabinet by making a digital copy and getting rid of the physical ones. Now when I get an important document I scan it save it to a few places and get rid of it.

Why not just a scanner app for your phone? They work pretty well. I have a flatbed scanner that I keep stored away most of the time, until I need to scan a bunch of stuff quickly. If I need to scan the odd receipt, I use Tiny Scanner.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#570

Post by WXLCKNO » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 6:37 PM UTC

jjice wrote: post #457

Might be slightly over, but some cheap loadable dumbbells. I was never a weights guy, but these made it so I could get a simple workout in at home between meetings. They are annoying to change weights on, but everything is just a solid piece of metal, so they'll last forever. I'm by no means a strong guy, but I've significantly increased the weight I can lift over the course of the last year. For me, it's really awes…

This is a fun one because it can scale below and above 200. If you the loadable dumbbells (like Pepin) then yeah it's a bit of a pain but at least they can be expanded.

I got the 5 to 90 lbs powerblocks (700 Canadian used..) but with the way they are built I'll be able to use them 50 years from now. Just a solid long term purchase.