I have had a Miele for seven years now and it is still amazing. I have a bunch of kids and two pets and use it almost daily. Before my Miele I would burn through vacuums like crazy.

I am not really sure why another poster said that it smells when they turn it on. You can buy replacement filters and such. We have the one with HEPA filters and it is amazing. Maybe theirs is just a different design or something. We haven't had any problem with that at all.

My nice Kai sewing scissors are in my sewing closet. All my children know they are not to touch them or get into my closet without asking. They are allowed to use them when we are sewing something together under my supervision.

I think part of it is having scissors that they can use too for their creative pursuits. We have a pair nice scissors for them (Klein) ones to use for paper in the office supplies drawers. We also have some cheap ones for use for more "creative" materials (foil, cardboard, etc.) My four year old has her own pair of little scissors. My children can feel the difference in the nice Klein ones and see how if they take care of them they last. I just got the less expensive blue plastic Klein ones from the Lowes website. They are so lovely to use.

I also vastly prefer my Kai scissors to my Gingers. I sew so I have gotten three Ginger sizes over the years. Even with careful care and only being used by me for sewing, they are starting to deteriorate. The nut that hold the two scissor blades together isn't holding as well so they don't quite meet properly on my biggest pair. My biggest pair also really hurts my hands after a little while. I have a small pair of curved ones and they also have the same problem. My medium size is still going alright. My husband is great with sharpening so they are still really sharp but it is hard to cut fabric neatly because of the nut problem.

My husband got me a set of Kai's for Christmas two years ago and they are vastly better. They feel so incredibly smooth and cut through anything. Even the largest pair doesn't hurt my hands even after lots of cutting. These are my favorite ever sewing scissors. They still are like brand new after two years.

I still have the Gingers but I don't use them at all now. I guess it is time to declutter. :)

That being said, I also have a pair of Klein's that I purchased for general use around the house. My kids are big into all sorts of crafts and they also love them. I love them so much as well for general use and paper cutting. I got the blue handled one in a smaller size. Lowes has them one their website.

I have purchased really nice barely worn brand name coats on eBay for myself and my kids. I would find a brand you like and check eBay to see if you could find it used.

I have a Rowenta Pro Master and I love it so very much. It is amazing! I have had it for five years now and it is still like brand new.

I only use filtered water- we have a reverse osmosis filter spigot on our sink and I use that.