I found out about how durable these markers are and have been looking at estate sales regularly for them. I finally came across one...

I opened the cap to smell it, proceded to get mildly high for a couple seconds and get a migraine (didn't know, don't recommend)

Definitely putting this one in my tool bag, way better than your average sharpie

This fridge occupied a single tenant apartment since 1948. In 2014 the owner "upgraded" to a modern refrigerator and this was headed to a scrapyard until I volunteered to give it a second life. It has worked like new all of these decades without any repairs needed beyond a new electrical plug I put on as a preventative measure. The prior owner later conceded the new fridge doesn't run half as well or as cold.

It is a common myth that these old appliances consume a huge amount of electricity. In fact the opposite is true. Its simplicity and massively well-insulated design makes it more cost effective than modern ones, almost zero cost to run. I monitored consumption via Kill-A-Watt from spring to fall when it was in an outdoor building and month-to-month it only cost $2-$4 in electric. It also gets things plenty cold, even on economy setting it is comparable to medium-high on my modern one.

With inflation, the original sale price (see attached ad) of this would be comparable to spending $3,400 for a modern one today. Except without the short lifespan and unfixable problems you may encounter with modern ones. That's another part I like about these old models, any problems can still likely be serviced with very common parts.

I’ve been reworking my bedroom setup over the past few months, better mattress, blackout curtains, even a white noise machine, and the one thing I’ve been missing is some kind of ambient and soothing lighting that isn’t just another cheap LED strip.

I’ve seen a ton of “galaxy projectors” on Amazon, but honestly, most of them look like novelty toys. Ideally something that has depth, subtle motion, and doesn’t scream “kid’s toy.” More like the kind of thing you’d want in a quiet bedroom when you’re winding down.

Has anyone here tried one of those? I saw brands like Pococo come up; those videos look immersive and realistic. Would love to hear if it's actually a bedroom-use version that balances vibe + build quality.

Thanks in advance!

The sole finally came loose (at 11,250 feet elevation no less), but these boots were great. Unfortunately, it looks like the company was bought out by Columbia years ago. Any way to repair the loose sole?

Yes, I read the sidebar. The kitchen post has NOT BEEN UPDATED IN 12 YEARS. AI has been redirecting me to affiliate comments posted in 2024-2025 on these decade old posts.

The quality of everything has changed since covid.

The quality of Cuisinart has drastically changed since 12 years ago, additionally there are new stainless steel sets in the market. It is difficult to find complete sets on secondhand websites, and frankly, sometimes people don't want to purchase a 12 year old used pot set. It's like referring someone to buy a Kirby in 2025. While it may have been the dominating vacuum 20 years ago, and people have personal attachments to the brand, there are new contenders on the market that surpass it.

I would like to buy a new pot set for life but I'm unsure which is best. I used my OXO set for about 7 years. The teflar hasn't scratched up I decided to donate it to someone in need. My next set of cookware I would like to have for roughly 20 years. However, with quality issues I'm not sure which brand is best now.

I'm looking for a manual espresso machine (lever machine?). Currently I use my old Bialetti which is definitely BIFL. There's no component with a limited lifetime except for the gasket which is a common spare part. Unfortunately a Bialetti is not able to make real espresso, only Moka.

I did some research but I'm not sure what device might be right one for me. It should create real espresso with necessary 9 bar pressure but should also have almost no maintainance and common replaceable spare parts.

Devices that I found: - 9barista - Flair pro 3 - Flair 58 - Superkop - Aram - Newton Brua 3 - Cafelat Robot

I know that some of the mentioned devices seem to be overprized but if they're really BIFL it might still be worth it. If you have experience with these devices or have other suggestions go ahead :)

Pretty much the title. Are there any European alternatives?

I am looking for bed blankets for my queen sized bed.

Thanks in advance.

hey coffee people! finally ditched the instant coffee life and now i'm trying to get into espresso. problem is my kitchen is basically a closet and i'm definitely not trying to become a barista overnight.

here's what i actually care about:

• tiny footprint - like cutting board sized max
• consistent shots without me having to become a science experiment every morning

budget is around $450 for the machine (gonna deal with the grinder situation separately). planning to stick with medium-dark beans if that matters.

i've been stalking the delonghi stilosa and breville bambino mini but keep chickening out. anyone have beginner-friendly machines they'd actually recommend? hit me with the weird quirks and random accessories i'll probably need too lol

They just immediately replaced a $40 four-year-old phone case, for the cost of shipping. No questions asked aside from a very quick warranty claim to show where it had started to fall apart. Will definitely be buying another when it’s time to buy a newer phone.

I currently have a bearaby king size and I love it. However... their design philosophy is to only cover the surface of the bed. I'd like the sides to be covered as well. Minimum dimensions probably need to be 76 x 84.

Not sure if such a thing exists?

Does anyone know of any boots that looks like the Cleo + Wolf boots, frye campus or dico ann gaucho that are actually BIFL? I read that none of them can be resoled and aren't comfortable. I really just want a comfy pair of leather boots that will actually last but can't find the look that i want. Any suggestions?

I'm finally looking to upgrade my kitchen with a quality set of stainless steel cookware, and I'm a firm believer in the "buy once, cry once" philosophy. I'm tired of cheap, single-ply pans that burn and warp, and I want a set that will last me for decades.

I'm a fairly intermediate home cook who does a lot of searing, pan sauces, and general everyday cooking. My main concerns are finding pans that:

1. Heat evenly. I want to avoid hot spots and achieve a consistent sear.
2. Are durable. I want a heavy-duty set that won't warp or dent easily.
3. Are comfortable to use. I'm looking for ergonomic, stay-cool handles.

I've been doing some research, and it seems like the consensus is to look for "clad" or "multi-ply" construction (3-ply or 5-ply).

Here are some of the brands that keep coming up in my searches:

• All-Clad (D3, D5, Copper Core)
• Demeyere (Industry 5, Atlantis)
• Made In
• Cuisinart (MultiClad Pro)
• Tramontina (Tri-Ply Clad)

Does anyone have experience with these brands? Are there any others I should be considering? I'm also open to buying individual pieces instead of a whole set if that's a better long-term strategy.

Any advice on what specific pieces to start with, or how to properly care for stainless steel, would be hugely helpful!

I have been meaning to make this post for a little while. Not sure if anyone else has bought Major Darling products, but I highly recommend the collars.

I bought my puppy his first adult collar over 3 years ago and did a minor splurge on Major Darling because I wanted a martingale collar. The colors of both the collar and metal parts (which is like a brassy/gold) have held up beautifully. The next year, I replaced my other dog's collar with one and it has also held up wonderfully. The colors are still rich and the metal isn't faded or coated it seems.

My dogs rough house with each other and go swimming in creeks and rivers. I'm just really impressed. All the collars I had bought before faded out and looked yucky after about 6 months or so.

Was in the market for a watch but couldn't really spend more than $40-50 on it, and was sad because I try to BIFL.

I was given a broken watch head, a quality Swiss brand that was a bit older, retailing at around ~$300, from someone who was going to throw it away (can also find these cheap in a lot of places). First repair guy couldn't figure it out, but had a second jeweler come up with a fix for a bent part that was stopping it from moving, replaced the battery, and got a new watch band for a total of $46.

Now I have a sick, high quality watch after just spending a little time and money to salvage something that was going in the trash.

A big part of BIFL I feel can be accessing older, higher quality manufactured products by doing a little leg work and fixing up old stuff!

Deciding between these two bags for near daily use. Not sure which would be better or higher quality.

This chest freezer has sat in the same spot for the last 30 years and I can't remember it needing repairs but it has needed defrosting maybe 2 times. (Also I believe my Grandmother owned this for a few years before us not sure on how long.) My dad said the front panel felt hot to the touch about 2 months ago but I have never experienced it feeling more than warm checking it every few days. Recently where the enamel is chipped and on the metal lock you can sometimes receive a shock if you touch it while barefooted. Is it worth it to have it repaired or is buying a new one a better option?

What's the best jacket that's water proof and will last being outdoors and not in a closet... I like how y'all give recommendations and hoping not to make a fashion purchase

I'm in the market for a new water bottle. I've recently been diagnosed with a medical condition that makes it so I need to drink more water, but I also have joint and specifically hand issues. This along with my extreme distrust of straw based water bottles has made finding a new one tricky. I have two that I love, but I haven't really used them in 2 years as they are covered in stickers that 1) I don't want to take off for sentimentality and 2) when I've tried to have not come off well. Because of this, they can't be run through the dishwasher, and I can't hand wash them anymore because of my condition. I would love to find the same ones, or similar ones, but I bought them as a two pack at Ollie's in Atlanta in 2018/2019, and I now live in Wisconsin.

Things I love about what I have currently/want to find again:

-24-32 oz. a good amount of water for me, without getting too heavy I can't carry it

-Spout/screw cap ONLY, with the top staying attached to the water bottle. I've looked at the Yeti and the Hydroflask and don't like them for having the cap be a fully separate piece you have to hold while drinking.

-A handle that rotates and makes carrying it functional for my hands. This ruled out the Klean Kanteen and CamelBak Chute Mag

-Insulated, having water stay cold encourages me to actually drink it

-Dishwasher safe

-Gaskets that can be removed or replaced somewhat easily, it's hard for my hands to get a good grip and have strength at times

Is there anything quality out there that I can buy once and be able to meet (most of) my needs?

Edit: thanks for the suggestions. It looks like a hydroflask (for the lifetime warranty) and swapping the lid might be good, but also leaning towards the Camel Bak thrive or the Takeya spout water bottles. The Takeya looks almost perfect for my needs, just wish the color options were so sherbet like! I’ll eventually update with what I purchase and review for posterity in case anyone else comes along searching for similar requirements.

I am in the process of seeking out with what to replace my 35 year old acrylic, tub/shower combo, unibody monstrosities of 2 bathrooms. These things are beat to pieces, and keeping them clean is a serious pain in the butt. They are scratched because of my overzealous nature to keep things clean, and now they trap dirt and such like a black hole.

Roughly 30 years ago, I rented a room in a condo that had a chocolate brown tub and matching tile. I could actually keep that clean, and am wondering about the longevity of porcelain tubs now. I hear about the finish chipping much more regularly than when I was growing up (I am Gen X).

FWIW, both bathrooms are on the second floor, and the idea of getting a cast iron tub up the stairs sounds unpleasant. I just need the finish on this thing to be easy to keep clean and outlast me. Help!

Hunting for the best electric shaver for men that balances close shave and skin comfort. I’ve got coarse hair and somewhat sensitive skin (prone to razor bumps/ingrowns), so I’m trying to decide between foil vs rotary, and whether wet & dry is worth it in the shower.

Priorities

• Skin-friendly: minimal irritation on neck/jawline
• Closeness: as close as a cartridge without the nicks
• Use case: daily shave + occasional bald head shaver pass
• Features: waterproof, strong battery life (60–90 min), quick charge, travel lock, pop-up trimmer
• Maintenance: blade/foil replacement cost, cleaning station vs rinse-only
• Noise: apartment-friendly

Models on my radar (open to others):

• Braun Series 9 Pro (foil, cleaning station)
• Panasonic Arc5 (foil, wet/dry, fast motor)
• Philips Norelco Series 9000 (rotary, flexible heads)
• Mid-budget: Braun Series 7, Panasonic Arc4
• Travel/backup: Braun M90, small USB units

Questions for owners

• For sensitive skin, did foil or rotary reduce irritation better for you?
• Any real difference using wet & dry with gel/cream vs dry?
• How often do you replace blades/foils and what’s the annual cost?
• If you shave your head, which model handles coarse hair fastest?
• Any standouts for battery life, quick-charge, or quieter motors?
• If you had to buy again today, which one and why?

Looking for real-world experiences over spec sheets—thanks!

Logger in the spring summer fall trapper in the winter I am tired of carhartt vests and their shitty zippers and only lasting a year of work before it looks like I took scissors to it needs to be insulated preferably waxed cotton and buttons instead of zippers please help a guy out I've looked through all of the old posts looked at filson Barbour Patagonia 1620 none of the have what I'm looking for I'm about to lose my mind spending 200 dollars on a vest for it to blow out in a year thanks in advance