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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)

#91

Post by timthorn »

y-curious wrote: post #40
sharatsc wrote: post #5

TSA pre-check. Best $85 spent to date.

As a followup: 1. Global Entry (international travel precheck for American permanent residents and citizens) is $120 and includes TSA precheck. 2. The high-tier credit cards (Amex Plat, Chase Sapphire Reserve) give you credits for Global Entry and/or TSA Precheck. They cost in ~$600, but my Amex Plat pays for itself with: - Global Entry for wife, parents (as authorized users) - Uber credit $15/month - Clear at the ai…

Global Entry is available to those from some other countries too. IIRC there used to be a threshold for the minimum number of entries in the previous year or so, but it looks like they've opened it up now.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-...

Definitely worth it.

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

#92

Post by post_break »

voisin wrote: post #78
smeej wrote: post #53

Under $1,000, but just barely over $100: Semi-recumbent stationary bike that fits under my standing desk. I've never been coordinated enough to get the hang of walking on the treadmill and typing, but pedaling slowly all day I can do! I've lost 45 lbs so far this year, and adding up the calorie estimate for each day (I've been tracking) and dividing by the 3500 calories people say are in a pound, about 20 of them hav…

What bike did you get? > The rest have been from hard work with a dietitian who helped me solve some longstanding issues Deficiencies or simply realizing certain intake was higher calories than expected?

Not op but I have a cubii and I love it.

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

#93

Post by cameronh90 »

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…

For anyone in the UK interested in getting a bidet: most normal bidets are illegal due to our water safety backflow prevention regulations. As a minimum you need a break tank - a double check valve isn’t sufficient.

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

#94

Post by caseyy »

Under $100:

- A dumbphone. Even if I’m not using it anymore, it has shown me what life I could be living without distractions. My anxiety and stress levels went down from about the second day using it, I became much more aware of my emotional state and the environment around me, it was a noticeable shift.

I no longer buy the arguments that we can control our smartphone addictions with will. The technology is too optimised for most of us to break free. And the addictions — too subtle for most to notice.

It may simply be a physiological addiction to checking email or for notifications every now and then. If you feel like you’d be missing out unless you check your phone several times a day, you have it. If you reach for your phone without thinking when you’re bored, you have it. It’s all about compulsive action.

I think much of the population is addicted. Certainly most of the online types.

Every interaction with your phone pulls you out of being present!

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

#95

Post by qup »

fallinghawks wrote: post #74

Under 1000: - robot vacuum. Now my house gets vacuumed (that should tell you how much I hate doing it.) - the bidet seat is not tremendously life changing but it's very helpful. Under 100: - a quality probe thermometer. I use it for everything baked and most ways of cooking meat. Nothing is over~ or undercooked anymore. I do have another one with 2 probes for bbq/smoking -- you can use the two in the point and flat o…

> - a quality probe thermometer.

Can you recommend one you like? This is a hard thing to research without hitting fake reviews and blogspam. Not like there's an established brand a normal consumer would know about.

I guess that applies to a lot of things now.

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

#96

Post by throwawayian »

FranklinMaillot wrote: post #88

Under 100€: a password manager. Every time I need to sign in to an account I haven't used in a long time, I appreciate how much it makes my life easier. No need to remember which email address I used to sign up, which of my passwords I used, what special character I added... It makes 2FA a breeze. It works seamlessly across my computers, browsers, phones... I also use it to store API keys, my social security number,…

Passwords app for iPhone and Windows Chrome or Mac users!

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

#98

Post by chrisweekly »

madamelic wrote: post #2

Under $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…

(also breaking rules to concur)

EightSleep mattress cover is a GAME-CHANGER. Precise control over preferred temp, and detailed/accurate logging of sleep metrics == way better sleep, and knowledge of its relative quality (metrics for which let me measure the impact of different variables).

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

#99

Post by Clubber »

patwolf wrote: post #86

- double-edged safety razors. It blows my mind how much money is wasted on cartridges. - Bidet - just a basic one that plugs into the existing water line. Everyone in my house makes fun of me for it, but after a year with it, using TP feels barbaric. - Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven. There might be other brands that are just as good, but it's essentially a small electric oven I can use outdoors. I started baking small l…

I second the double edged safety razors. I had to learn not to push down so hard like I have to do with the modern ones. Those things are SHARP! You get a closer shave too. I got the soap and horsehair brush to go with it. I bought a pack of blades that have lasted years.

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

#100

Post by wrs »

ashconnor wrote: post #16
sharatsc wrote: post #5

TSA pre-check. Best $85 spent to date.

Ditto Nexus. Best $50 and has paid for itself many times over crossing the Mexico-US border.

Note that Nexus includes Global Entry and TSA Precheck. If you live near the border, it's the cheapest way to get all of them.

Also, your Nexus card is a REAL ID, so no need to pay extra for an enhanced drivers license.

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