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Ask HN: What is the best way to spend $1000 to improve your productivity?

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11–20 of 47 posts

Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to spend $1000 to improve your productivity?

#11
For writing, a portable mechanical typewriter. None of a computer's infinite distractions. Cordless. As direct as pen and paper. Cost toward the stack of spiral notebooks end of the scale.

It filled a hole I didn't even know was there. I can completely wrap my head around it. The only downside is how crappy computer keyboards feel after thwacking on it for a few minutes.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to spend $1000 to improve your productivity?

#12
Yerba mate tea is stronger than study drugs for me and provides nearly instant high intensity focus. Its not terribly fun or enjoyable, but by far the easiest/cheapest cheat code for productivity. I really only drink it when I need to power through a few hours of something I don't want to do. Tea is $12 for 2lbs, and the cup/straw is about $15.

Similarly, exercise is great for productivity and spending money so that you enjoy it is worth it. Gym membership, bike, weights, etc gives you months or years of productivity boosts.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to spend $1000 to improve your productivity?

#13
I would say spend it on Bitcoin, but if you are noob, i’d suggest you read about Bitcoin, you can invest $775 on getting a daily super filtered spreadsheet of what the conversation is about in forums and microblogging sites.

You can sift through these posts and find lots of insights and opportunities to prepare you to invest in Bitcoin.

To make your life easier, i’ve created this spreadsheet and you can have it if you want.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to spend $1000 to improve your productivity?

#15

If you’re currently hunched over a laptop, high quality monitor and keyboard make a big difference. If you’re sitting on something crappy, a used high-end chair. If you’re sitting on something nice, a convertible sit-stand desk.

I was struggling because of terrible eyesight, and the ergonomics. I used to have an IPS monitor that used to fatigue my eyes a ton.

I also have a cheapo Cherry MX Blues (TVS gold) and a Logitech G402 mouse. Ergonomics and eye sore was killing me.

I sold off that monitor, got a decent 24in 1080p LG monitor with a TN Panel with VESA compatibility, Height extensions and boom all the eye fatigues have basically gone along with the shoulder pain.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best way to spend $1000 to improve your productivity?

#16
Here are some ideas (and US prices):

1) Nespresso coffee machine. Can get a good one for 2) Autonomous standing desk. Base model $399

3) Trackpad. Nice addition to the mouse. E.g. $129 from Apple.

4) Second monitor. I personally find this convenient. A decent one will cost you under $300.

5) Tablet. Useful for when you are too tired to sit or stand. Good for reading docs or whitepapers, for example. $329 for a base model iPad.

6) Faster internet. A few bucks added to your monthly bill.

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