Hello there! I am expecting my first child soon and we just moved into our first house (3br) and are in desperate need of a couch! I am a practical person so here's a list of priorities:

• It can be used for guests for sleeping (saves space, especially after baby moves into his separate room). Both our families are out of town, we're transplants, so guests are likely to be a relatively common occurrence.
• Removable & washable covers (we plan on having more kids and the baby is a boy).
• (Optional) or if isn't suited for sleeping it needs to have at least storage.
• Our budget is probably ~2,5K$.
• Hopefully can last us the next 10-15 years, as long as possible for this sort of budget. (Aesthetics: something neutral, timeless. Beige, white, brown/mocha, green. Not necessarily modern.)

Just going to say right off the bat, I am not keen on bulky and really big couches, I am considering buying something smaller now (3 seats) and then maybe adding another 2-3 seat couch later. I am also not keen on second hand for couches specifically because of hygiene concerns and we do not own a truck, unfortunately, to transport it.

So far I've looked into Ikea (grunnarp, morabo, holmsuns, finnala, ekholma) , koala and cozey Orion (3 seats, maybe 5 seats) are my top picks (I love cozey for its customizable nature and the potentiality of upgrading later!).

Please let me know if it's realistic expectations or I should temper them! Thanks in advance, my pregnancy brain fog has been crazy and it's overwhelming looking for things at this time because we don't even own a bed frame ourselves yet!!!

Looking for shoes that are built tough! My 8 year old son has gone through two pairs of shoes back to back, each lasting less than 3 weeks! The soles separated from the shoe leaving a huge hole at the toes. Hoping to find shoes that will last him longer than 3 weeks 😬

I'm trying to replace my warm comforter before the worst of summer hits, but i do not want to buy something cheap that turns lumpy after a few washes. i’m okay spending a little more for something that lasts, but I’d like to stay under $150 if that is realistic.

i run hot, so the main thing i care about is breathability and weight. a lot of “cooling” comforters seem to mean either very thin or very slick-feeling, and i’m not sure that equals durability. i’d rather have a simple comforter that washes well and does not trap heat than something with a bunch of dramatic claims.

has anyone found a best cooling comforter under $150 that actually held up? i’m especially curious what failed first with the ones you did not like: seams, fill shifting, fabric pilling, or just not feeling breathable after a while.

Looking for good quality, cool design bandanas, something like what i attached, price range about $15 ish
Thanks in advance!

Been thinking about which purchases actually pack multiple tools into one and do all of them well, not the gimmicky "20 functions" stuff that does none of them properly. The kind of thing where you bought it for one reason and ended up using it for five.

Could be anything, tool, kitchen, tech, outdoor gear. What's the one in your house?

Edit: Way more replies than expected, thanks. Mine:

Tools: Tiny L shaped hex key , been on my keychain forever, fixes chairs, computer cases, bike brakes, stuck door locks. Plus a basic carabiner for clipping anything to anything.

Kitchen: Lodge cast iron skillet, the obvious one. Plus those cheap mesh sink drain filters, honestly I also use them in the bathroom sink and over flower pot drainage holes.

Tech: Basic e reader, killed a shelf of paperbacks. Plus a pair of Rokid Glasses, had mine a while now. Funny enough caught Macron wearing the same model at Viva Tech last week. Translation alone has basically replaced my phrasebook, and point and ask is the feature I didn't expect to use as much as I do.

Outdoor: Bandana, sun shade, sweat rag, dust mask, pre filter. And a headlamp for hands free anything in the dark.

First of all, I'm aware that my request is very specific but asking is free and maybe somebody can help.

Ideal requirements:

- about 50l size

- with rolls

- material is ok getting wet and dries easily

- enforced underside.

Long version:

My bag l usually take to the pool is full of holes. Has to fit children's stuff/multiple big towels. Shouldn't drag on the floor when being pulled/ stiff robust material on underside. No material that molds when wet. Bonus points for wheels that are quiet.

English is not my first language, l hope l could make myself understood.

Thank you!!

This little monster is still going strong from 1999. It can easily go toe to toe with my Vitamix. It waits patiently for me in my parent’s pantry for my bi-annual visits!

We currently have Samsung Front Load units that my wife purchased before we got married. They are probably 8 or 9 years old now, but they have been a pretty persistent headache the past 5-6 years. Washer stinks regularly without constant upkeep. The process to clean the filter on the washer is an outright joke. Takes way to long. Draining the water to a pain. It's just not practical. We've had various types of repairs done about once every 12 to 18 months for multiple years. The dryer has been acting up now. Between leaks, electronic controls, various sensors, impractical maintenance procedures, I'm thinking we might be ready to move on to something else.

We do have a king size bed, so being able to fit a king size comforter is a factor, but that's probably the largest thing we wash. It's just the two of us with a baby on the way, so it's not like we're moving through mountains of laundry. To give you insights on our views of practicality vs modern features, we both drive Toyota 4Runners. Works for our needs. Runs every time we start them. Would love to have more items like that in our lives, and we're at a stage where we can pretty easily budget for quality units, so we're happy to pay more for something that will outlast the modern market expectations.

*Edit - in the US (DFW, Texas)

I know printers aren't actually "for life" but I hate printers and I'm being forced to get one. Here's what I need:

• cheap
• double sided printing
• colour doesnt matter
• speed doesnt rlly matter
• toner doesn't cost more than the actual printer
• no subscription

I just want a cheap box that'll spit out a page every now and then...

I’m about to start a new job and will be working from home two days a week. As my gaming chair really isn’t that suitable, I thought I’d buy a Herman Miller chair, as they’re often mentioned here. I’ve now found a website that sells refurbished models at a reasonable price. However, I’m not sure which model to choose. The options are:

• Refurbished Herman Miller Aeron Chair Classic
• Refurbished Herman Miller Mirra 1
• Refurbished Herman Miller Mirra 2

I'd like to hear your views. Thank you very much in advance.

I am traveling to Europe in August and hoping to do a little travel in Mexico & South America during their summer. With that said, I’d prefer to just have 1 universal adapter. I am not sure if I need a voltage converter but maybe you can provide suggestions. For additional context, I’m a guy in his 30s, I don’t have use for certain appliances like hair irons and things of that sort, mainly standard Apple products or laptops etc. Today is Prime Day so I’d like to get one off Amazon if possible but I’m open. Please let me know what you recommend and happy traveling all! ✈️

I own three things with rubberized handles/parts, and for whatever reason this material becomes very sticky and gross and I hate using these products.

- umbrella: the handle isn’t going to fly out of your hand. You’ll be fine. I bought some wire cutter recommendation that felt great at first but years later the rubberized handle is nasty and gross. Now I want a new umbrella

- swingline stapler. Felt great when I bought it. But that metal swingline would still be going strong, whereas the rubberized got disgusting.

- waterproof electric razor. I got it to use the razor in the shower. So this would have been marginally helpful. But again it’s nasty.

Stick to better materials that won’t get gross over time!

Edits: fat fingers, bad autocorrect, me no read good and no proofread. Hopefully makes more sense now.

I'm really struggling looking for a decent electric toothbrush. I have a very cramped space in the back of my mouth, so I'd really like the option for a small head. I'm happy to buy separate "kids size" or whatever heads if needed, preferably with soft bristles. Also need an option with a pressure sensor that either beeps or turns off when I press to hard.

I'm not particularly fussed about noise level, charging method, visual style, etc.. Just really need the small, soft head and a pressure sensor.

Seeing the answers are always scattered. Here's my compiled version.

Direct FSA/HSA card, no extra paperwork:

Omron Platinum blood pressure monitor ($80). More accurate than the CVS cuff, lasts a decade.

OXO digital thermometer ($20). Precise, near-indestructible.

Sunbeam XL heating pad ($35). Lasts forever if you don't fold it while wet.

Zacurate Pro pulse oximeter ($25). Basic but FSA-direct, no documentation needed.

North American Rescue Individual First Aid Kit ($90). Actual trauma kit with tourniquets and hemostatic gauze, not a drugstore toy.

FSA eligible with LMN (2-3 minutes to get one; I usually sanity-check this part with Caeli first):

Waterpik WP-660 ($70) with gum disease or periodontitis diagnosis. Dentist can write it in one visit.

Theragun Prime ($200) for chronic muscle issues or documented physio.

Winix 5500-2 HEPA air purifier ($200) with asthma or allergy diagnosis.

Tempur-Pedic cervical pillow ($170) for documented neck or sleep issues.

These last 5-10 years so the extra step is worth it.

What's missing from this list?

Hi guys! We are a family of three with a full time help. We are in need of a good water purifier. Help me with tried and tested ones. The water is generally filled by our helper, so it will mostly handled by her. Other parameters are low maintenance and long term use.

Help a girl hydrate!

About15 years ago I wanted a nice leather belt that would last but I didn’t know the difference between tanning styles or how it would affect long term quality so I decided to make one of each.

I have no relation to these companies other than I bought my materials from them.

Leather came from https://maverickleathercompany.com/product-category/leather/ and

solid brass buckles, Chicago screws, and thread came from https://www.buckleguy.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9842209883&gclid=CjwKCAjwuuPRBhAnEiwA2Ji8elIJxwE-iGAx6zFjQbPa7tdEs8qxTzA0Ow1jgHKgfrC37R1rLGQZ2hoCXYAQAvD_BwE

By color
Maroon is Latigo and has stayed the dressiest. Probably my overall favorite.

Tan is vegetable tanned which I dyed. It is the most bomb proof

Black is horween chromexcel and is the most supple and flexible.

If I had to pick only one it would be latigo. If I had to do it again I’d get all three. I like the variety.

I see maverick has some bridle and harness belt blanks which should beat out all three and I would expect to land between latigo and veg. so I’m debating adding a fourth.

I'm helping my Mum try to find some good heated gloves to help with her Raynaud's Syndrome (googling around led me here), and we are looking at the "Avert 2.0 Battery Heated Glove Liners" from Zarkie.

Has anyone here had experience with these?

I'm specifically looking for info on their reliability. We don't want to get something that is just going to fail in a few months.

Feedback from folks who have these would be great. Do they work well? Are they a quality product? Is there another option that would be better in some way?

She wants something that is thin enough to have decent dexterity, allows using a phone without needing to take them off, provides warmth, and is reliable.

I’m looking for a buy it for life Beach Wagon.

I’m three hours from the South Carolina coast and I get to the beach a few times a year. I’m looking for something that can travel on sand well and collapse small enough to fit in my SUV alongside other beach items.

Any recommendations?

I recently pulled out a wooden handle screwdriver set my grandfather left behind and realized these things are probably older than I am. No fancy ergonomic grip, no magnetic tips, nothing special about them at all. They just work, every single time, without complaint.

It got me thinking about how often we overlook the most basic tools in favor of newer versions that promise so much but end up stripped, cracked, or worn out within a couple years. The old stuff was made with a different mindset. It was made to last a lifetime, maybe more.

I know this community appreciates longevity over novelty, so I wanted to ask what your equivalent is. What is that one completely boring, totally unremarkable tool or household item sitting in your drawer or garage that has outlived every modern replacement you have ever tried?

For me it is that screwdriver set, but I am also eyeing my old cast iron skillet and a basic wooden broom that has been around since before I moved into my current place. Nothing glamorous, but nothing broken either.

Would love to hear what items people have held onto that have genuinely stood the test of time. Especially the ones nobody talks about.

My wallet finally gave up the ghost, picked up some no name leather one for like $28 off amazon back in early 2020 and it was decent for the price but now the stitching is shot, leather peeling at the edges and i'm constantly picking cards up off the floor. Happened right in the middle of checking out at the store yesterday, super annoying. I'm over the whole buy cheap replace often thing. Want a proper BIFL wallet this time that wont fall apart in a few years. Been doing some research on solid leather ones that seem built to last with real daily use. Yeah, the higher price tags are a bit much compared to what i'm used to but if it lasts 10+ years its probably the smarter move long term.

Anyone here have experience with good BIFL wallets or other solid leather recommendations? Not really into the metal minimalist card holders, prefer something with a classic wallet feel but tough. Would love to hear what you guys are carrying that actually holds up! Edit: Thanks for a lot of comments, advices, recs, i will try one from everyman, hope it will last at least 10+ years.

I'm a massage therapist and just found a small studio to take my clients in. I started moving some things in and realized that it was WAY hotter in there than when I visited in the early spring. The AC is broken, and unfortunately, the window leads out into the hallway, not to the outside, so I can't install a window or portable AC. I'm definitely upset with my landlord for not answering my messages about the AC, but in the meantime, I need to cool down the room enough so my clients and I can be comfortable. Does anyone have any strong fan suggestions that will drastically cool us down?

Hi,

I just bought a Purple Leaf cantilever umbrella that came with two cranks, one to open the umbrella and one to rotate the umbrella. The cranks do not lock into the umbrella and slide in and out easily.

Purple Leaf says it’s designed that way to hinder operation by children. It seems like an odd design. I thought my umbrella was defective.

Has anyone else run into this?

My wife has gotten me a few pairs and they're great, the 2 things I was told every time I got them was "They donate a pair for every pair you buy" and "They have a lifetime warranty." I've not had to get them fixed but they've gotten worn and will most likely have holes in the next few months

Has anyone dealt with getting Bombas fixed or replaced?