Inexpensive life-changing purchases

CurseVox · Dec 15, 2020

Leona Lewis said:
I am convinced. Just bought one.

I swore I wouldn't buy anything from this thread unless it was on sale, but here I am...an electric air duster, a Gerber keychain, and a clothes steamer later :-p

My contribution:

Essential oil diffuser

You can buy whatever oils you want, they're easy to clean, and they're so much cheaper than the Glade or AirWick ones despite being much more versatile and longer-lasting

I have one in almost every room. My bedroom smells like the beach, the living room smells like Christmas, and the bathroom smells less like shit.

huh. I think I just may be interested in this. Thanks! Can you recommend some oils on the light and pleasant side and not a sensory assault? heh
lol@ the bathroom scent!

Jokab said:
I thought these didn't really work? How good a job does it do for tougher wrinkles? Can it only handle easy ones?

YES! It can handle harder wrinkles very well! I use it on thick pants and everything. For the harder stuff I just hold the steamer very close or literally on the fabric.

CurseVox · Dec 15, 2020

reKon said:
So I made the mistake of buying a full sized steamer which I never use. I think that basically a bunch of calcium built in and kind of made it stop working properly. There's a way to clean it get it working properly again, but just decided never do that, lol.

I do have an iron that I use more, but this looks even better and more convenient. I literally use my iron for just steaming purposes haha

yeah the travel ones work great. No need for a full sized one honestly. It's just more of a hassle.

Leona Lewis · Dec 15, 2020

CurseVox said:
huh. I think I just may be interested in this. Thanks! Can you recommend some oils on the light and pleasant side and not a sensory assault?

You can never go wrong with cedarwood, peppermint, orange, and cinnamon bark/leaf. Maybe buy a diffuser that comes with some oils and see what you like.

The best part is you can use whatever you like. I wasted so much money on those proprietary ones from Glade and the like -_-

CurseVox · Dec 15, 2020

Leona Lewis said:
You can never go wrong with cedarwood, peppermint, orange, and cinnamon bark/leaf. Maybe buy a diffuser that comes with some oils and see what you like.

The best part is you can use whatever you like. I wasted so much money on those proprietary ones from Glade and the like -_-

I like this idea. Thank you! :)

Aztechnology · Dec 15, 2020

Easy_G said:
EDIT: And bidet people, why not just wet a few pieces of toilet paper when wiping? Most bathrooms have a sink within reaching distance and it seems easy, simpler, cheaper, and less wasteful than using these bidet attachments.

sorry explain how this is simpler, cheaper or less wasteful?

also wetting TP is awful, like it doesn't work well at all. You're definitely still using more resources still even in that case.

chairhome · Dec 15, 2020

reKon said:
So I made the mistake of buying a full sized steamer which I never use. I think that basically a bunch of calcium built in and kind of made it stop working properly. There's a way to clean it get it working properly again, but just decided never do that, lol.

I do have an iron that I use more, but this looks even better and more convenient. I literally use my iron for just steaming purposes haha

Same, my wife worked for a clothing retailer and she loved the idea of having a full sized one, but this is more practical

Setsune · Dec 15, 2020

Be extremely careful with Essential Oil Diffusers if you have pets. https://www.abc15.com/news/national...might-be-toxic-to-your-pet-veterinarian-warns

BigEvilTurtle said:

Keep an eye out, as some Eneloops within the same type (not including Pro obviously) have lower capacities than others. Glancing at Amazon it looks like it's mostly evened out (2000-2100 mAh), but I bought a multpack carrying case with the adapters only to later realize the batteries held less charge than the ones from individual packs.

nekkid · Dec 15, 2020

As a pet owner whose cat likes to puke every now and again, I read a story of how a Roomba's owner's dog shat on the carpet and the thing spread it everywhere, and I won't ever get a robot vacuum.

Nude_Tayne · Dec 15, 2020

Setsune said:
Be extremely careful with Essential Oil Diffusers if you have pets. https://www.abc15.com/news/national...might-be-toxic-to-your-pet-veterinarian-warns

So, wait, what about humans?

Guppeth · Dec 15, 2020

I'm gonna get a steamer for my parents for Christmas, after reading this. They hate ironing but do a lot of it, so hopefully they'll love it and not just dismiss it without giving it a fair chance.

Nude_Tayne said:
So, wait, what about humans?

There are plenty of things that are toxic to cats and dogs but not to humans.

Deleted member 7148 · Dec 15, 2020

An Instant Pot. Dramatically increased the type of meals I can cook quickly for a family of four. One of the best things I've ever bought and only cost like $60.

Septimus Prime · Dec 15, 2020

reKon said:
So I made the mistake of buying a full sized steamer which I never use. I think that basically a bunch of calcium built in and kind of made it stop working properly. There's a way to clean it get it working properly again, but just decided never do that, lol.

I do have an iron that I use more, but this looks even better and more convenient. I literally use my iron for just steaming purposes haha

You're supposed to use distilled water for it.

CurseVox · Dec 15, 2020

Septimus Prime said:
You're supposed to use distilled water for it.

I use water out of my bathroom faucet in my portable one. I've have it for a couple years with zero issues and no build-up. Not sure how the larger sized ones work, but that seems like a huge pain in the ass always having to have some distilled water around to use it.

Guppeth · Dec 15, 2020

Septimus Prime said:
You're supposed to use distilled water for it.

CurseVox said:
I use water out of my bathroom faucet in my portable one. I've have it for a couple years with zero issues and no build-up. Not sure how the larger sized ones work, but that seems like a huge pain in the ass always having to have some distilled water around to use it.

I'd guess you can descale it like a showerhead or iron if needed.

Red Liquorice · Dec 15, 2020

nekkid said:
As a pet owner whose cat likes to puke every now and again, I read a story of how a Roomba's owner's dog shat on the carpet and the thing spread it everywhere, and I won't ever get a robot vacuum.

lol, oh my god!

StrayDog · Dec 15, 2020

Floor cleaning mops from Daiso (using dry disposable sheets) fast way to remove hair and fine dust in my apartment.

vacuum cleaner is too noise for such small job.

mrmoose · Dec 15, 2020

StrayDog said:
Floor cleaning mops from Daiso (using dry disposable sheets) fast way to remove hair and fine dust in my apartment.

vacuum cleaner is too noise for such small job.

Isn't that basically a cheap(er) swiffer mop?

MasterYoshi · Dec 15, 2020

$30 or less wireless earbuds to wear while doing tedious jobs around the house, or during non business hours at work. Washing dishes, mowing the grass, overnight inventory shifts. So forth. It's really great having something interesting to listen to while doing less enjoyable work.

soup · Dec 15, 2020

If you got dry hands like I do, check out O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. It cost a couple bucks and has softened my dry cracked hands and even cleared up some eczema on my hands.

nekkid · Dec 15, 2020

Red Liquorice said:
lol, oh my god!

The diagram was sensational.

SpartyCrunch · Dec 15, 2020

Ok here's my contribution to the thread - Nutribullet:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTBHQZK/

I love smoothies, and we use this to make all sorts of baby food.

Normal blenders are a pain! So difficult to wash, the main unit is so big it barely fits in the dishwasher, just a huge ordeal every time I want to use it. The Nutribullet is super compact, incredibly easy to wash, and works really well.

KDR_11k · Dec 15, 2020

mrmoose said:
Isn't that basically a cheap(er) swiffer mop?

Speaking of mops, a disc mop is pretty useful. Instead of wringing it out by force you just place the head in the "salad spinner" looking part of the bucket, unlock the telescoping mechanism and pump it up and down a few times. When the telescope retracts it spins the head so fast that the water is forced out of it by centripetal force.

SRG01 · Dec 15, 2020

KDR_11k said:
Speaking of mops, a disc mop is pretty useful. Instead of wringing it out by force you just place the head in the "salad spinner" looking part of the bucket, unlock the telescoping mechanism and pump it up and down a few times. When the telescope retracts it spins the head so fast that the water is forced out of it by centripetal force.

This thing is honestly a game changer for mopping and makes the entire endeavor a breeze.

whatsarobot · Dec 15, 2020

cast iron pan.

still enjoy using it every day.

samoscratch · Dec 15, 2020

KDR_11k said:
Speaking of mops, a disc mop is pretty useful. Instead of wringing it out by force you just place the head in the "salad spinner" looking part of the bucket, unlock the telescoping mechanism and pump it up and down a few times. When the telescope retracts it spins the head so fast that the water is forced out of it by centripetal force.

Is there a brand you recommend? I almost bought one once but couldn't decide.

KDR_11k · Dec 15, 2020

samoscratch said:
Is there a brand you recommend? I almost bought one once but couldn't decide.

Looks like Leifheit is the only one making that and has the patent on it. Fortunately it's only like 35€.

samoscratch · Dec 15, 2020

KDR_11k said:
Looks like Leifheit is the only one making that and has the patent on it. Fortunately it's only like 35€.

ty

Deleted member 4212 · Dec 15, 2020

This lamp or a lamp like it.

I work from home and my home office is in my large master bedroom so having a way to separate work hours (with ceiling lights) from off hours (floor lamp) is huge. I can't overstate how different the mood is with a floor lamp, and how much it relaxes me.

I like this lamp in particular because it has a built-in dimmer and a few temperature settings, so you can get pure white or the yellowish light. It also has a bluetooth remote control that works really well and doesn't need line of sight to function like an IR remote. It's nice to be able to turn it off from bed.

One of the best work-from-home purchases I have made.

Irrotational · Dec 15, 2020

KDR_11k said:
Speaking of mops, a disc mop is pretty useful. Instead of wringing it out by force you just place the head in the "salad spinner" looking part of the bucket, unlock the telescoping mechanism and pump it up and down a few times. When the telescope retracts it spins the head so fast that the water is forced out of it by centripetal force.

Centrifugal Force

xkcd.com

Xkcd is free and changed my life forever :)

Zyrokai · Dec 15, 2020

Eugene's Axe said:
This thing has saved me hundreds of dollars.
Paid itself in the first haircut.

Where can I purchase the skillset though?

whatsinaname · Dec 15, 2020

samoscratch said:
Is there a brand you recommend? I almost bought one once but couldn't decide.

I use the O-Cedar one in the US. Works very well.

samoscratch · Dec 15, 2020

whatsinaname said:
I use the O-Cedar one in the US. Works very well.

ok thanks, will check it out.

whatsinaname · Dec 15, 2020

samoscratch said:
ok thanks, will check it out.

Here's the exact one I have.

https://www.amazon.com/Cedar-EasyWring-Microfiber-Bucket-Cleaning/dp/B00WSWGVZQ/

Eugene's Axe · Dec 15, 2020

Zyrokai said:
Where can I purchase the skillset though?

In the IDGAF store.

Kobe · Dec 15, 2020

Logitech Trackball mouse. Helps with wrist. $24 bucks on Amazon

Deleted member 8852 · Dec 15, 2020

A toilet-attachable bidet.

Version 3.0 · Dec 15, 2020

El_TigroX said:
I know it's a bit out of the inexpensive category, but depending upon deals... it might work out. Roomba, or any robot vacuum. It has saved me so much time in vacuuming and it's kept the dust at bay and made my allergies much better.

You still need to do light cleaning, and I have a hand vac I use about once a day... but it's been unbelievable how much cleaner our place has been.

Just set it when we go out for a walk... done when we get back.

You have a Roomba and you still vacuum once a day? How often were you vacuuming before?

I vacuum maybe once a week, at most, and my place is nice and clean. And that's just the one heavy traffic area. If I had a robot, I'd want my vacuuming to drop to pretty much zero. Otherwise, there's no point. Especially not for like $900.

El_TigroX · Dec 15, 2020

Version 3.0 said:
You have a Roomba and you still vacuum once a day? How often were you vacuuming before?

I vacuum maybe once a week, at most, and my place is nice and clean. And that's just the one heavy traffic area. If I had a robot, I'd want my vacuuming to drop to pretty much zero. Otherwise, there's no point. Especially not for like $900.

I use a hand vac (like a souped up dust buster) for maybe less than 2 min a day... to get corners and areas that Roomba can't reach. So it's not like a crazy amount.

I don't even own a regular vacuum, because there's no need with Roomba.

it's legit the best thing I have ever done in terms of tech and house.

Version 3.0 · Dec 15, 2020

El_TigroX said:
I use a hand vac (like a souped up dust buster) for maybe less than 2 min a day... to get corners and areas that Roomba can't reach. So it's not like a crazy amount.

I don't even own a regular vacuum, because there's no need with Roomba.

it's legit the best thing I have ever done in terms of tech and house.

I want one, but my wife isn't convinced. And the good ones are so expensive, she's dead set against it. I had her convinced about a year ago, after some co-workers talked them up, but when she saw the price tag, she changed her mind at light speed. She wants the $900 model but thinks <$300 is the right price. Maybe someday...

signal · Dec 15, 2020

Cast iron instead of carbon steel come on now.

El_TigroX · Dec 15, 2020

Version 3.0 said:
I want one, but my wife isn't convinced. And the good ones are so expensive, she's dead set against it. I had her convinced about a year ago, after some co-workers talked them up, but when she saw the price tag, she changed her mind at light speed. She wants the $900 model but thinks <$300 is the right price. Maybe someday...

I think you can find a deal here and there throughout the year - they definitely go on sale. Not going to be cheap, but you'll still see $100-$200 knocked off here and there. I eventually made the gap, using credit card rewards... but I hear you... it's hard to justify it. It will get cheaper and better over time.

I saw one at a friend's house, and asked them a bunch of questions, and when I could finally see it - I saw the real value of it. Leaving the house and having that shit run while you're out is like magic.

RatskyWatsky · Dec 15, 2020

Antrax said:
I got one of these as a free pack-in and swear by it. If you have long/thick/bushy hair, using this for shampoo and conditioner keeps so much hair off of your hands.

what is this :3

Antrax · Dec 15, 2020

RatskyWatsky said:
what is this :3

A shampoo shower scrubber

I used to have tons of my long hair get on my hands running them through my hair for shampooing it. Now this thing gets that. Much less annoying to handle

skeptem · Dec 15, 2020

Zyrokai said:
Where can I purchase the skillset though?

So I actually went to get a haircut and asked a ton of questions. Almost like a mini lesson, I was upfront with the stylist and tipped her really well.

That was probably 15 years ago, I've been doing it myself (wife helps sometimes) since.

Nostremitus · Dec 15, 2020

Mochi said:
This is great, thanks for suggesting this. Ordered a pair for my dad for Christmas (and one for myself as well).
I have destroyed so many shoes by doing exactly what these shoes are designed for...

Have they arrived yet? I just ordered another pair, the New Yorks in Coffee color with gum bottoms. Wondering what the shipping is like right now. They are on sale for $59.

I wanted a pair of the Kingstons, but the heeled shoes aren't available in wide sizes.

Dr_LawyerCop · Dec 15, 2020

soup said:
If you got dry hands like I do, check out O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream. It cost a couple bucks and has softened my dry cracked hands and even cleared up some eczema on my hands.

I get dry hands in the winter but what I use is a product called bag balm. I never heard of it until my mom got it for me. Originally the product was used for cow udders which is where the name comes from. It has a weird smell and feels like Vaseline but put it on at night and it does wonders. Don't know what it costs but I can't imagine it's too expensive. I've been using the same tin for almost 3 years.

RatskyWatsky · Dec 15, 2020

Antrax said:
A shampoo shower scrubber

I used to have tons of my long hair get on my hands running them through my hair for shampooing it. Now this thing gets that. Much less annoying to handle

What brand would you recommend?

Antrax · Dec 15, 2020

RatskyWatsky said:
What brand would you recommend?

This is the one I got as a pack-in

CMP · Dec 15, 2020

Do smart light bulbs count?

Edward · Dec 15, 2020

Setsune said:
Be extremely careful with Essential Oil Diffusers if you have pets. https://www.abc15.com/news/national...might-be-toxic-to-your-pet-veterinarian-warns

Keep an eye out, as some Eneloops within the same type (not including Pro obviously) have lower capacities than others. Glancing at Amazon it looks like it's mostly evened out (2000-2100 mAh), but I bought a multpack carrying case with the adapters only to later realize the batteries held less charge than the ones from individual packs.

This explains why i have had to change the batteries in my xbox controller like 4 fucking times in 3 days where as the batteries that came with the series x controller lasted me like 2 weeks. Do you have a link to a pack i can buy? I already have the same charger posted above.

Inexpensive life-changing purchases

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