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Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

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71–80 of 140 posts

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#71

For men: A beard trimmer is one of my favorite cheap buys. Never shave again: http://www.amazon.com/Remington-MB4040-Lithium-Rechargeable-... Beyond that, I'd say the aeropress coffee maker: http://www.amazon.com/Aerobie-AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-Make...

I have that exact trimmer. It plucks almost as many hairs as it cuts. I keep meaning to write a sardonic review of it but never get around to it.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#72
post #7

If you cook at all: Infrared thermometer. How hot is that pan? Is my oven thermometer accurate? I'm proofing yeast, is this water too warm? How cold is my freezer? Is my smoker ready? Is that caramel done? I got a cheap $15 one and I use it nearly every day.

I get how this could be useful for things, like checking the inside of a steak.

But my only concern is that I've cooked my whole life without worrying about temperature. I have now learned how something "cooked" looks, and how long it should take. So if I were to get a temperature reading I'd have no knowledge of what the correct result should be.

I guess what I'm saying is that it seems like I'd need to retrain my whole cooking experience, which doesn't seem like it would be worth it.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#73
post #8

An ebook reader. Both the cheapest version of the Kobo and the Kindle cost around USD60-70. I've gone from reading ~10 books per year to reading ~80 books per year, just because I always carry that thing with me since it's so small and light. I also save a ton of money since printed books are so expensive in Australia, and out-of-copyright books are free. The formatting of technical non-fiction books for e-readers ha…

I read a hell of a lot, and I really enjoy walking around charity shops to buy "random" paperbacks (about 50p each, or 15 for £5)

I didn't want a kindle for the longest time, because the process of browsing and choosing books was part of the fun, along with the smell and feel of paper.

That said I've bought one, and acquired a lot of material, and I've grown to like it an awful lot more than I ever expected I would.

Currently I'm planning a holiday to Helsinki, and I know that I'll be taking it with me because it is so very small, and contains a whole bunch of material. But I'll hate myself a little for it.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#74

For men: A beard trimmer is one of my favorite cheap buys. Never shave again: http://www.amazon.com/Remington-MB4040-Lithium-Rechargeable-... Beyond that, I'd say the aeropress coffee maker: http://www.amazon.com/Aerobie-AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-Make...

The aoropress is great, but I do find the price of the paper pretty annoying.

I've now switched to one of the many metal-filters, which makes me happier.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#75
post #42
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To what end?

Some people find that they're able to get more things done when they don't have the distraction of a smartphone in their lives.

Yeah I reverted from an Android to a Nokia 301. A week of batter life in my usage, although the specs claim a month or something silly like that.

But these days it probably doesn't matter what phone I use, as I leave the thing at home as often as I take it with me. Now I'm no longer on-call, via SMS, I just don't need the distraction.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#76

i would say mechanical keyboard since we spend so much time on the computers. but the great mechanical keyboards are over $100...should be able to get a second hand one for cheap.

An excellent suggestion. I have had Zalman ZM-K500 mechanical keyboard since September and I can honestly say that I love it. It is also substantially less than $100 (£37) [0]. The quality is not quite as nice as some of the more expensive mech keyboards out (the labels on my meta keys are rubbing off extraordinarily quickly...) there but it is leagues ahead of any of the membrane based keyboards I have tried. [0] ht…

Oddly, I've been using the same keyboard since about the same time. Would have to agree that it's a nice keyboard for the price.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#78
post #47
post #9

Considering the benefits of exercise, a pair of running shoes and some resistance bands could go a long way. Those two small purchases helped me get in shape faster than any gym membership that I had in the past. That said, everybody's exercise preferences are different so get whatever you need to become active.

Have you ever dealt with shin splints if so, how?

One thing that has really helped my running has been calf sleeves. Here's an example: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00G6E291W?pc_redir=1395807977...

These aren't the ones I own personally but they seem similar enough. Basically a compression sleve that covers your lower leg.

I was running up to 10 miles when I started having shin pain for even less then a mile. Since getting them I'm comfortably back up to usual distances for 10+ miles. I even ran a marathon wearing them.

Other then that I have support running shoes (some asics) and orange super feet insoles. Unfortunately combined this probably worked out to 200 but I just went to shorts chalet and bought it all, didn't really look out for the best prices. I run on the road so I think it's pretty hard on my knees but with these three things combined I've had no problems over 6 months of a least 20 total miles a week (normally a 10 and two 5s).

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#79
Good Kitchen Knives

Ideally, a whole block of them, but all you really need is one, and that'll run you less than $100.

No more laboriously sawing through an onion with that flimsy dull serrated piece of worthlessness. A good sharp knife should glide right through anything you care to stick between it and the board. Onions, tomatoes (without squishing), probably even your thumb a few times until you learn how to use it right.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels are my choice. Not overly expensive. Overly good at chopping things in half. Sorted.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#80
post #34
post #8

An ebook reader. Both the cheapest version of the Kobo and the Kindle cost around USD60-70. I've gone from reading ~10 books per year to reading ~80 books per year, just because I always carry that thing with me since it's so small and light. I also save a ton of money since printed books are so expensive in Australia, and out-of-copyright books are free. The formatting of technical non-fiction books for e-readers ha…

You got my attention. Which reader do you recommend?

I recommend you an used Sony PRS-350. Smaller than others and best contrast yet I have seen on any ebook reader to date. But no WIFI, if you want that, go with the kindle.
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