caroonth

caroonth t1_j9bimrs wrote

Consumerism pressure is real. I do think after you reach that point of seeing how much useless or cheap crap you own, you get really turned off by it all and hone in on what you really want and need. The last few years the air fryer has been trendy. Friends can't believe I don't have one. Family wants to buy me one as a gift. I don't want it, don't need it, and people don't understand that. I know in a few years that would be sitting on a shelf in storage and, like you, I'd be thinking about the money wasted anytime I see it. We're in a heavy consumer society.

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caroonth t1_j9b95x0 wrote

It's all a crapshoot. I'm happiest with super cheap purchases that accidentally end up being BIFL, looking at the $1 solid brass hose nozzles I picked up at Big Lots years ago. I'm most disappointed when I spend a lot and the product doesn't live up to my expectations (1990s Electrolux vacuum, decades later I'm still pissed!). I like to plan good purchases, but if the choice is not absolutely clear, buy cheap and hope for the best, knowing I can replace it once or twice for the same cost as the better option, meanwhile hoping an even better option comes along.

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caroonth t1_ivz1nhu wrote

In other recommendations, I have a pair of old Tevas, over 20 years, still going strong that I wore daily for a good portion of their life. I can't speak yet to longevity, but I choose my Taos Trulies over Birkenstocks most days.

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caroonth t1_ivyyklw wrote

I dont think so. But if you decide to do that, I'd recommend pony up for the real leather. I bought a pair of the new birkibuc, some kind of synthetic suede-like mashup. I feel like they'll fall apart like "vegan leather" eventually. EDIT: I'd like to change my answer to "maybe". I don't know about repair costs, but you should definitely get your money's worth without repairs. I'm a little biased because I'm learning I just don't like Birkenstocks. I had a suede pair in the 90s that lasted at least 5 years before I passed them on still in great shape to a friend. I bought a new pair recently and kind of regret it. All in all, if $100-150 shoes last me more than 3 years, I'm satisfied.

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caroonth t1_ivm3xbm wrote

Is that a King? We use one my husband has used his entire life. It's getting hard to find replacement bricks and grates. It was our only heat source for a time. Waking up at 4 am and running to stoke the fire to warm up the house in the morning and sprinting back to the warm bed to wait, people take modern heating conveniences for granted.

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caroonth t1_iux62xj wrote

Mine is a CT650 blender. I assume it's one of their more basic blenders. It's full size and not a food processor, so probably not what you're looking for, but the motor is strong and the moving bits and plastic parts aren't wearing out at all. I feel like it's solidly designed and if I were in the market I'd definitely look at their lineup.

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caroonth t1_isv3psg wrote

I'm 7 years into my McKinley Leather Furniture couch and with dogs and kids. I think I'll be tired of it long before it wears out. I'm from what was once the furniture capital of the world in North Carolina but it's hard to find good quality furniture anymore. Even the recognized better brands are actually cheaply made overseas garbage now. Search carefully and you can still find some good US manufacturers. It'll cost a little more, but it's the built to last stuff.

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caroonth t1_isbdo9x wrote

Reply to comment by djh_van in Dishwasher keeps going by Atlantic76

I'm sure my new one saves water (in theory, but since I have to handwash before I load now, maybe not), but it certainly must use more electricity with it's circuitry and 3 hour cycles.

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caroonth t1_isb4b07 wrote

As the owner of a new dishwasher, do everything you can to never let that one die! New ones are quiet, but they don't do a good job.

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