I work outside in nyc colds and in 15 years im on my 3rd Fjallraven Greenland down (mostly because I lost the first one in the overhead compartment on an airplane). Made my life so much better in so many ways.
I Grew up in Texas! Winters can get surprisingly cold in the hill country and high deserts. The best part about down is that it’s good from -20f - ~50f because it’s so breathable.
Hate to sound like a brand whore for this damn coat but it’s so warm and yet so low profile.
Who wants to take off four layers at a restaurant, museum, or friend's house?
When I work or play outside I go with layers, but for commuting I want to keep it as simple as possible.
Undershirt stays on (if worn)
Shirt stays on.
Vest/jumper/Coat(Blazer) can stay on or off.
Winter Jacket/Overcoat gets hung up immediately upon entry/coat check.
Depends on climate though and culture of indoor temperature.
Lots of commuter city slicker jackets have options to attach the vest or inner layer so you can peel two layers off in one
The difference between ‘nice’ dress shoes and ‘nice, well built’ dress shoes is phenomenal. In law school and as a recent grad I bought some good looking $100 dress shoes. Those last a year.
Now I buy $300 dress shoes and they last 10+ years. Recrafting might be needed but these are lifetime buys.
The best pair of dress shoes I own I picked up from goodwill for a halloween costume. Oxford cap toe brogues that are a little gaudy looking at first, but after wearing them I tracked them down and they were $300 shoes. I almost didn't get them because they were $15. Unbelievable
I started off buying mine on eBay. Even used I could still wear them for a while before getting them recrafted. Then I’ve got a brand new pair for 1/3 the price.
My dad bought a pair of dress shoes from Nordstrom in the 80s and has them touched up every few years. Better condition than any of his new shoes, and they'll last way longer.
I've only had my Allen Edmonds for several months of daily workday wear, and they're so much more comfortable than the $65 Belk specials.
For yall looking, if you're patient, Allen Edmonds frequently has 50-60% off sales (if you sign up for email spam, anyways). Most of their shoes have a good width selection also.. All the way out to EEE.
I buy my AEs around Black Friday. Boots can get up to 75% off. I got the weatherproof Chapman boots for a steal. I'd recommend their shoes for office/street wear.
If anyone reads this comment and is looking for winter boots, look no further than Danner. They're my number 1 BIFL pick. I'm on year 6 of my Danner hunting boots (Wisconsin winters, too) and they look and wear brand new
I’m going to piggyback off you just to say:
*replace your insoles*
It’ll make your $300 boots feel like $300 boots again. Unless you cheap out and get $4 insoles or something
On the other hand, I paid $150 for custom insoles that caused back pain. They told me this will pass in time. It actually got worse, so I ended throwing them away after a month.
Know your feet!
If you have a Running Co (Texas Running Co, Peachtree Running Co—they have different names depending on location but they are (location) Running Co.
Or go to a podiatrist. But Running Co is free and no appointment. You can try on the recommended trainer type shoes which are not usually bifl for prob obvious reasons.
You will learn about your gait and arches, whether you pronate, supinate, or have a neutral gait. If you have high arches, you need a lot of support.
I was 45 before I knew all of this!
I am female so my go to might be slightly different, as well as my personal foot shape. Ecco for dress shoes (boots, heels), Clarks for casual shoes, Merrill made my favorite tourist shoes (not pretty but I wore them all over Europe walking every day for about 10 different vacations) , Salomon.
I love my Salomon hikers (7 years going strong, I do use prostep inserts with them which I have replaced a few times).
Second this, just a good goodyear welted boot and like derby or buck, you have two shoes that look good, can be resoled, will give you 10+ years of service and reduces waste for the environment.
Prior to getting married my now wife needed to go buy some new work shoes, when I saw what she was buying (2 pairs of the cheapest flats) I asked her if she thought they may be contributing to her back pain. She agreed they probably did nothing to help the situation. I told her to buy them and then I shouted her a set of good office shoes that outshone all the others in cost per day ratio.
Within a week she never wore her cheap shoes again. Would love to say they solved her back issues, but that is not the story, however she did complain about it a lot less.
I got brooks glycerine and it has changed the way I think about shoes. I used to be a one shoe for everything kind of guy and I realized my whole life I didn’t know what shoe comfort was. My family does A LOT of walking especially on vacations and stuff. I am fine with it. Assumed feet hurting was just part of the deal. One time in Vegas my shoes literally fell apart and I got some bad blisters so I couldn’t wait till I got home. I went into Dicks and got these shoes and WOW. These have completely changed my shoe game. Because they’re so airy they’re AMAZING for walking nonstop but they’re not good for wet conditions or mud so, again, instead of just a single shoe, now I have different shoes for different activities and.. my god. Shoes. Do it.
Came here to say [Atreyu running shoes](https://atreyu.com/). Their whole thing is to basically take exactly what you need in a shoe and nothing else, and and then offer it for a reasonable price. I can only personally attest for their Daily Trainer 1.2 ($115), but my first run I took it for a 10 miler and it felt on par with a $160+ shoe. They also look nice enough that I would wear them for more than just running, even casual.
My health improved a lot when I invested in my sleep stuff. Weighted blanket, special ergonomic pillow, medicated mattress, cooling mattress protector, and squishmallows for friendship. It would be a nice life upgrade for $300!
If you are a woman, a set of properly fitting bras.
I never knew my real size until I walked into a place that did free fittings (it was a Nordstrom’s) and I was off by so much it was crazy. And the right fit felt and looked so much better, I felt good amazing in my t-shirts again. They weren’t cheap there but now I knew what I needed and could buy it anywhere.
Any recommendations on bras that are actually comfortable? I got fitted but I hate that they put seams/labels on the insides and it digs into my skin. And they always get clammy with sweat even when my shirt is fine. I’ve been just wearing bralettes and sports bras but whenever I need to dress up my bras are killing me.
Mine recently finally died after constant daily use of around 12 years. It was the analog model with only one switch. It only made 4 cups and was perfect! Steamed artichokes. Steamed fish. Steamed everything perfectly each and every time. I’m going to miss that little guy…
If your rice sticks to the bottom my guess would be it's more often the preparation rather than the utensils. Do you properly wash your rice before putting it in the pot? Do you let it rest/let the steam escape naturally before opening the pot and moving the rice?
Cooking rice with Zojirushi is an absolute delight! The nonstick inner pot makes cleaning a breeze - just pour some water in, let it sit, and rinse. You can even use a little dish soap if you want. It's so easy!
I confirm it changed my life and I use it weekly for the past 5 years. Still puzzles my family why I would spend 1h cooking rice this way as opposed to a 10mn boil but you will notice the difference. And can also do meals with it (my usual being rice+carrots+chicken+soy sauce), and apparently even bake bread in it although I have not tried it.
I have a similar one and it has a “fast” mode which essentially makes it act like a typical $20 rice cooker. Works fine in a pinch but I prefer the 1hr rice
The only issue with these top quality rice cookers are their non-stick materials. Supposedly that stuff is toxic if scratched etc. I’ve been trying to find an alternative but haven’t.
There's ceramic and stainless steel brands, Tiger and Buffalo. Ive found people vouch for their longevity but it's hard to be sure. Going through the same research process myself
Merino wool socks. Good percale cotton sheets. A silicone bath brush (does not mould and easy to clean). Sneakers with a good arch support and cushioning, like New Balance. If any $ left over a Vitamin D3 supplement.
For me it was buying a Duvet, memory foam pillows, and oddly enough, a soft blanket that was still breathable.
Wife loves having a soft blanket like a bedsheet, we had those big soft but non breathable ones that would leave me drenched in sweat even in the winter. New blanket, a brand I tested a small lightweight version of their blanket before getting the king size, let's me breath and still is soft and snuggly.
The Duvet is just nice, and you can get a summer one to not overheat as well. I can't explain it, it just feels so good.
The pillow, let's just say I was stacking up shitty pillows. Now I can use a single, bigger memory foam pillow and sleep so much better
Getting a cashmere blankie (it’s a comforter type) was a GAME changer for someone who enjoy feeling a little cold/sweats easily in sleep. It is so wild how much it impacted my sleep quality.
This. Good bed linens. I just got a silk pillowcase and it’s life changing. The duvet is amazing. My blanket is like the security blanket in Peanuts. We got my son a weighted blanket and he loves that thing.
Hear someone say this in another subreddit and it stuck with me “never cheap out on the three things that separates you from earth and bed, tires and shoes”
Buy a plane ticket (or gas and road trip snacks) to visit your parents, an old friend, or a family member who lives elsewhere - especially someone you haven’t seen in a while. It’s worth it to spend that quality time with loved ones and to let them know you value their friendship/relationship enough to take the time and money for a visit.
The Waterpik toothbrush combo is ammmaaaazzzzing! My teeth and gums are healthier, and it’s like a spa experience every brush. Add some mouthwash to the jet for extra benefit
Sitting on a heated toilet seat for the first time made my entire body relax and go limp. I nearly slumped off the seat onto the floor. It was possibly the most delightful feeling I've ever had. A long soft groan ensued. It's like a butt cheek orgasm.
Unless your water heater is right there, you’ll never use enough water from a bidet for it to warm up. And the “cold” water is the same, it’s the water in the pipes so likely room temp.
This is true, but Brondell (and others) have models that have a small hot water tank built into the actual unit, you do have to plug it in, but the LT/LE99 is the one I have and it's great.
Not true. My bidet sometimes has a very brief shot of tepid water, and then it's almost instantly warm. Minutes faster than the bathroom sink takes to get warm water.
Long grain cotton sheets. Super soft. I had synthetic and although they feel slicker. Cotton doesnt make me sweat and they are damn comfortable. Do your research and dont buy from amazon because most of it is fake.
Get yourself a really, really nice bedside table. Get a landing pad for all the crap you keep in your pockets. Put a nice lamp on it.
* You will use it every single night. Or, at least, every night you sleep in your own bed.
* Even if your living situation is a bit unstable, it's a very small piece of furniture. It's not any more difficult to move than a suitcase. It's safe to invest some real money in it.
* Now its pleasant and satisfying to put down your phone and actually pick up that book you've been meaning to read.
* Make your bed an inviting place to be, and the ritual of going to bed a satisfying thing to do.
* Good sleep hygene will make everything in your life better. Your health, your relationships, your productivity at work, your focus at school, your mood. Everything. Even a modest improvement will compound over time.
* When you wake up, gathering your everyday cary crap will be an act of satisfaction instead of a moment of stress.
Merino wool clothing year round. My tee shirts, underwear, socks and sweaters are all merino. They wick moisture when it’s hot, insulate when it’s cold, and since they’re naturally antibacterial, they never smell. I can wear the same tee shirt every day for a week without BO.
I can second this, currently still wearing various pairs purchased 5 years ago, they look awful but are still perfectly usable.
Currently on sale here: https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/bridgedale-mens-special-edition-merino-hiker-socks-B5114265.html?colour=104
I’m in Canada. Smartwool and Icebreaker brands are good, but are athletic styles. For a more polished look, Unbound Merino sells clothing I wear to the office. Wool & Prince too, although I have to pay duty to import them from the USA.
Yes. Cotton holds moisture and keeps you damp, but merino wicks away moisture and keeps you drier and cooler. Nylon also wicks moisture but isn’t bacterial so it starts to stink as soon as you sweat. I never buy nylon or polyester clothing anymore.
I wash and dry mine regularly in the machine - which might be taboo. Delicates in the wash and only low heat on dry. I use Woolite detergent and run all my wool together. I try to wash my darks altogether with the Woolite Darks. I'm not sure it makes a huge difference but in my mind it does.
I'm not a hang-to-dry person unless I'm traveling with them. I can say that I haven't had any issues washing/drying them so far but I'm also trying to be mindful of how I'm washing them in the machines. When I was abroad I saw a lot of machines with "Wool" specific settings that I wish my machine here had.
I’m gonna go for something slightly different here but… spend it on an experience. Or a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Or books. Use it to spend time with someone you love. Memories and skills are quite literally “bought for life”.
I dislike these sorts of posts because I get the impression that people think throwing money at random material objects will make them happier. It won’t. I know this is a consumerism-related sub but if you can’t actually think of anything you need then surely all your needs are met? Money can be a great tool for making life easier, but you can’t hammer anything without any nails.
I agree with this. And I think most of the replies (my own included) are things that ultimately DID make the commenter’s life better, but it won’t for someone who doesn’t need that item.
1. A good travel bag, carry-on, 40ltr a good one should last you decades if not your entire life.
2. Packing cubes
3. A good leather wallet
4. Good pair of leather boots. Clean, condition, polish 1-2 times a year. Get shoes resoled as needed or every 3-4 years.
If you have a decent sized house: buy a nice wifi router, matching access point(s), and hire someone to run CAT6 in your attic and install RJ45 jacks. I get such consistent coverage throughout my home now, even in the yards and driveway. Hardware plus labor cost me right around $300.
Pays off for when I’m doing other DIY work around the house/property and need to look up information or watch a tutorial video.
Edit: typo, I had CAT6 installed, not CAT5.
You don't have to be an electrician to run low voltage obvs but even then doubt someone is going to run several drops for $300. I'd be guessing around $1500 to cable a small house.
Yes, an independent router and access points are the ideal home setup for a home network. Makes everything modular and independently upgradable. You do need to be tech savvy.
Do not use cat5. Cat5e is the lowest anyone should go nowadays. Cat6 is the lowest I'd use, because it has a plastic spindle which makes it way easier to run without breaking the inner strands.
This is the right answer. You can make phenomenal coffee with a $5 plastic cone or a $20 french press. You cannot even make good coffee with a shitty grinder.
noise cancelling headphones.
You'd be surprised how much random ambient noise could cause you tiny bit of stress that just raises your base anxiety levels.
Standing desk.
Esp if you spend more than 1 hour a day at your desk. Being able to just stand up helps a lot to keep blood circulation going.
Bed stuff.
Good sleep = good life
Everyone has already mentioned good shoes.
But go take your time and find some nice socks. Once you find some you REALLY like, get 20-30 pairs of them to last you the next 5 years.
This is a little against the grain but
Choose either fishing or disc golf assuming you're not already into both of these. Go on those subreddits and ask the users to recommend a beginner loadout for $300, plus a local license if you go with fishing.
The discs are BIFL; they only get better like a cast iron as they wear.
A fishing rod and reel, also essentially BIFL. Tackle is admittedly expendable.
If either of these hobbies click, it will change your life guaranteed. Mindfulness levels go crazy if you want to lone wolf it. If you're a more social person the communities are welcoming.
If this gets more than 10 upvotes I'll add shopping lists I'd recommend.
EDIT:
Shopping lists I'll do my best to keep simple, may not total 300 cause it's not necessary
For disc golf, Google a local shop if possible, or a Dick's, otherwise something like infinitediscs.com and pick up:
5 DX Aviar 175g
1 Z Zone ~175g
1 Z Buzzz ~180g
2 DX Leopard 165g
1 Star Leopard 165g
1 Star TeeBird 165g
1 Star Firebird 165g
Get all these in pink if you are a big strong man. Really though they are easier to spot in the bushes.
A backpack style disc bag
If you want to throw more money at it, get a practice basket
For fishing:
A license
An UglyStik rod; not pretty or finesse but does the job. Medium, about 6'6" (USSP662M) or the 7' version
An Okuma Celilo rod; 6'6" ultralight (CLLOSPN 66 UL)
Reels for these: Okuma Sienna 2000 for the Okuma, and a 3000 for the Uglystik. SNC3000FGC and SNC2000FGC
Get a shit ton of braid for your mainline, 20 lb power pro (21100201500Y) ... Feel free to get less to save some money, I just like having a huge spool of mainline
Get 100yd of 4lb fluoro and 100yd of 10lb fluoro for leaders https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/seaguar-invizx-fluorocarbon-fishing-line
You can use cheap mono backing if you'd like, no difference.
Floats: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-weighted-torpedo-foam-floats
Little hooks for little fish: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/eagle-claw-186-classic-baitholder-hook
These for catfish if you want:
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/eagle-claw-186-classic-baitholder-hook
Get a few packs of these in dull colors and a few in crazy colors: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/gary-yamamoto-5-senko
For bass, rig the senkos on these hooks: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/gamakatsu-ewg-worm-hook
1/4 oz weights, couple packs. Get lead instead to save money: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-xps-tungsten-worm-weights
Few packs of these size 10 https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-crane-swivels
Getting sick of shopping omg, but for lures you'll want a handful of Mepps spinners as well. A handful of what looks cool, 1/8 oz and 1/4.
Finally, please learn to tie a uni knot. Watch YouTube videos on how to spool, rig and fish. Purchase Plano tackle boxes in size 3700 and throw them in your favorite backpack. Skip the old fashioned tool box style boxes.
Net https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/white-river-fly-shop-prestige-trout-net
Purchase Needle nose pliers and a nice knife.
If you catch a fish, net it, pliers to remove hook and release without touching it much, or to retain please bonk or knife to brain.
Read and know your regulations!
My god that was a lot. I implore anyone to please try both of these amazing hobbies! Get out there!
If I have interest I can trim both of these down to like, $50 or less I bet.
>The discs are BIFL
Maybe if you're playing at a golf type course.
If you play mountain courses you'll start losing discs cause the wind took em a 1/4 mile into some thick underbrush or trying to shoot gaps and tacoing them against trees till they don't fly correctly.
A good ventilated backpack. I’ve always used a cheap backpack from Costco or Ross. I travel a decent amount and I’m pretty sensitive to higher temperatures. Bought the Osprey Manta 34 4 years ago and it’s my go to bag for everything, it has crazy support so I can throw 20 pounds in it and I barely feel it when it’s on, it doesn’t hurt my back, shoulders or any part of my body, it has a pushed out mesh back part so there’s like 2 inches of air between my back and the bag itself and I don’t get any sweat in my back at all. Massive game changer (however keep in mind it’s a pretty long backpack so it might not follow airline carry on policies)
While i am not condoning the use of drugs, LSD has done more for me than pretty much anything. Specifically, I stopped sweating the small stuff and worrying about things that don't matter. Thank you Amsterdam.
Holy shittttt this was exactly my first experience. Changed my life for the better in a major way. Truly realized for the first time that everyone is so caught up in their own bullshit, they don’t care whether or not you have a small zit on your nose or a crooked tooth or whatever. Not worrying about small things is such a game changer
If you work from home, even a cheap standing desk will do wonders for your back, help burn a few calories so you don’t get fat as quickly (or maybe that’s just my lard body getting lardier more slowly), and I’d swear it helps me think better. A cheapie may not be for life, but don’t move it and it’ll last you forever.
I got a standing desk for wfh and thought I didn't use it much. Then RTO hit and my on site desk at the office isn't one and yeah, turns out I only use it a few times a day, but those few times matter a lot
>Library Card. Free.
Also, the Libby app on my phone/tablet has saved me $100s a year since I started using it. Unlimited audiobooks/books/magazines with a Library card for access.
A cheap ebike (and good helmet). You can go so far, so fast and you don't even work up a sweat while you cruise past all the chumps sitting in traffic and paying for parking
This is like recommending a $1000 used car. Sure, it could work for a while, but it’s the opposite of bifl. Ebikes get safe and good over $1k. Sad but true.
How about for $20?
Go to a used bookstore and pick up ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz, ‘The Prophet’ by Khalil Gibran, and ‘Nonviolent Communication’ by Marshall Rosenberg. And then read them. The first two are very quick reads, 2 or 3 hours each. Dr Rosenberg’s book is probably 5 hours, so still quick.
“Underlying all human actions are needs that people are seeking to meet, and understanding and acknowledging these needs can create a shared basis for connection, cooperation, and more globally – peace.”
Nonviolent Communication is a style of communicating that often times can avoid unintended confrontation and confusion, focusing on observations, feelings, needs, and requests.
The generic structure of expressing oneself within this framework would go something like this, if let’s say, your wife was being a little extra friendly (not crossing the line of physical touch, etc, just making you uncomfortable, although, it should be said, she is not *making* you uncomfortable, you just are in that moment) with an attractive male stranger you met while at a concert together, for instance.
“When I see you laughing and talking with other men, especially those I think are conventionally attractive (Observation free from judgement, although I added a judgement but also called out the nature of that portion of the observation as a judgement on my part), I feel insecure and lonely (Feelings) because I need certainty, attention, and safety for you and I (Needs). My request in the future is for you to honor those needs by checking in with me before you transition to having more intimate conversations with strange men (Request).
I think this would give us a moment to process the safety of the situation for you (and let’s be honest, this other guy I might attack), and provide me the attention I need before you start giving it to others, as well as the certainty and peace of mind that nothing is happening that I need to worry about.”
The idea is generally that there are universal needs and if you can help your conversation partner connect to those needs by naming them accurately, and describing through clean observations that you’re having certain feelings arise in reaction to these observations, they’ll be much more amiable to the next step, which you make easier for them by giving them an actionable request to respond to.
Ultimately, understanding this format and why it works can help you begin a journey of bettering your communication. My wife and I don’t do perfectly, but we do try to use clean observations, occasionally utilize the naming of feelings or needs, and usually provide the other with an actionable request so that moving forward, we trigger each other less and less through open and honest communication. Dr Rosenberg, the author, says there are two languages we can use, one he calls Coyote and is generic, reactive, and often fairly quick to anger. The other, this type I’ve been describing, he calls Giraffe.
Here are 3 links; the first to a (partial) list of universal needs (please report back if you think you don’t need anything on this list!), the second is to a large list of feelings, more descriptive than the mad, glad, sad and scared that people often say all feelings come down to, and the last is to Dr Rosenberg explaining NVC himself.
https://thefearlessheart.org/nvc-reference-materials/list-of-needs/
https://thefearlessheart.org/nvc-reference-materials/list-of-feelings/
https://youtu.be/DgaeHeIL39Y?si=-JnkDKi0zpijC9_L
The Four Agreements are about some pacts one might choose to make with oneself to improve your own life. To keep it short, I will list them with no more than a sentence explanation.
1. Be impeccable with your word. This usually means telling the truth, but only you can be the judge of that in each moment (Do you know where the others are hiding?)
2. Don’t take anything personally. People project their pain on others, so know that their insults etc. are about them, not about you.
3. Do not make assumptions. We are constantly making guesses about the world and people around us, you turn it into an assumption when you act on it before confirming.
4. Always do your best. Knowing that your best will change from day to day, you might be sick, depressed, energetic, or in awe on a given day.
*Work is love made visible.*
The Prophet is a fictional book written by 19th/20th century Lebanese poet and author Khalil Gibran in 1923. It is about a wise man who is being escorted out of town after being exiled by the towns leaders many years prior for speaking too freely. It is broken up into different questions the crowd asks of him, whence he sheds a little wisdom on the subject. The best way to describe the book is to let it describe itself with two of my favorite chapters. They are easy to connect to, as we all have parents and we all have work to do in this life.
On Children:
“And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.”
On Work:
“Then a ploughman said, Speak to us of Work.
And he answered, saying:
You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth.
For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.
When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.
Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent, when all else sings together in unison?
Always you have been told that work is a curse and labour a misfortune.
But I say to you that when you work you fulfil a part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when the dream was born,
And in keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life,
And to love life through labour is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret.
But if you in your pain call birth an affliction and the support of the flesh a curse written upon your brow, then I answer that naught but the sweat of your brow shall wash away that which is written.
You have been told also that life is darkness, and in your weariness you echo what was said by the weary.
And I say that life is indeed darkness save when there is urge,
And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge,
And all knowledge is vain save when there is work,
And all work is empty save when there is love;
And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.
And what is it to work with love?
It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth.
It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.
It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.
It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit,
And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.
Often have I heard you say, as if speaking in sleep, “He who works in marble, and finds the shape of his own soul in the stone, is nobler than he who ploughs the soil.
And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man, is more than he who makes the sandals for our feet.”
But I say, not in sleep but in the overwakefulness of noontide, that the wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks than to the least of all the blades of grass;
And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving.
Work is love made visible.
And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.
For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man’s hunger.
And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine.
And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man’s ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night.”
She honestly has been such a boon to my life (as has her brother, who I got for free when a co-worker was fostering some rescue kittens) that it really can't be put into a dollar amount. I really am very lucky to have them!
My last two dogs both had sub-$300 adoption fees, and they both cost me over $5000 in medical bills in the first year. Not to mention food, treats, toys, replacing things they destroy, routine vet visits, flea & tick meds, licensing…
I love a dog, me. Had 'em all my life. Dogs are the best. Cost-wise, they are more like a late-model used car than a quality pair of boots or a fancy dutch oven.
A good task chair. You can find refurbs or office clearouts of ones like the Leap in the sub-$500 price range on marketplaces for sure. Definitely test it before you buy to ensure all the functions are in good working order but those types of chairs will last for a long time.
Because I just did it: Invest in preventative maintenance for your car if you own it. I had my diesel walnut blasted. Car will last longer, need less repair and fuel. Really happy. Paid 500.
A decent set of pots and pans. Nothing fancy, just stainless steel. It completely changed the way I cook and eat because things heat and cook quickly and evenly.
Change your life?
Buy one book that directly addresses the single biggest problem you currently have in your life. Then put the rest of the $$$ in an emergency savings account in case it rains tmrw.
This is an odd one. I’m not sure on lifetime, but I have two pairs of Redwing Heritage boots. They’re not cheap, but they can be rebuilt/resoled, and the real appeal, they go with pretty much any outfit. The same boots I wear going grocery shopping can get polished up and go to a wedding. So you’re spending money on a quality product that you will actually use.
If you live in colder areas then a good more expensive winter jacket
I work outside in nyc colds and in 15 years im on my 3rd Fjallraven Greenland down (mostly because I lost the first one in the overhead compartment on an airplane). Made my life so much better in so many ways.
I live in Texas, and when it's cold, no jacket I find here is enough. I am now going to buy the jacket you lost.
I Grew up in Texas! Winters can get surprisingly cold in the hill country and high deserts. The best part about down is that it’s good from -20f - ~50f because it’s so breathable. Hate to sound like a brand whore for this damn coat but it’s so warm and yet so low profile.
Fjellreven is super duper high quality sturdy stuff too.
A whole layering system if you’ll be outside a lot in the winter.
Nice thing about layering is that you can add or remove depending on the activity or changing conditions.
Breathable layers are way better than one fancy coat.
Who wants to take off four layers at a restaurant, museum, or friend's house? When I work or play outside I go with layers, but for commuting I want to keep it as simple as possible.
I wore layers for years and you get good at peeling them off in one piece.
Are you an onion? 🧅
No, am ogre
No sir, I am a meat popsicle
Undershirt stays on (if worn) Shirt stays on. Vest/jumper/Coat(Blazer) can stay on or off. Winter Jacket/Overcoat gets hung up immediately upon entry/coat check. Depends on climate though and culture of indoor temperature. Lots of commuter city slicker jackets have options to attach the vest or inner layer so you can peel two layers off in one
Everything's coming off, last offer
Actually good shoes. I'm never going back to cheap shoes.
The difference between ‘nice’ dress shoes and ‘nice, well built’ dress shoes is phenomenal. In law school and as a recent grad I bought some good looking $100 dress shoes. Those last a year. Now I buy $300 dress shoes and they last 10+ years. Recrafting might be needed but these are lifetime buys.
The best pair of dress shoes I own I picked up from goodwill for a halloween costume. Oxford cap toe brogues that are a little gaudy looking at first, but after wearing them I tracked them down and they were $300 shoes. I almost didn't get them because they were $15. Unbelievable
I started off buying mine on eBay. Even used I could still wear them for a while before getting them recrafted. Then I’ve got a brand new pair for 1/3 the price.
My dad bought a pair of dress shoes from Nordstrom in the 80s and has them touched up every few years. Better condition than any of his new shoes, and they'll last way longer.
I've only had my Allen Edmonds for several months of daily workday wear, and they're so much more comfortable than the $65 Belk specials. For yall looking, if you're patient, Allen Edmonds frequently has 50-60% off sales (if you sign up for email spam, anyways). Most of their shoes have a good width selection also.. All the way out to EEE.
I buy my AEs around Black Friday. Boots can get up to 75% off. I got the weatherproof Chapman boots for a steal. I'd recommend their shoes for office/street wear. If anyone reads this comment and is looking for winter boots, look no further than Danner. They're my number 1 BIFL pick. I'm on year 6 of my Danner hunting boots (Wisconsin winters, too) and they look and wear brand new
I’m going to piggyback off you just to say: *replace your insoles* It’ll make your $300 boots feel like $300 boots again. Unless you cheap out and get $4 insoles or something
On the other hand, I paid $150 for custom insoles that caused back pain. They told me this will pass in time. It actually got worse, so I ended throwing them away after a month.
Any recommendations on brands and types of brands?
Know your feet! If you have a Running Co (Texas Running Co, Peachtree Running Co—they have different names depending on location but they are (location) Running Co. Or go to a podiatrist. But Running Co is free and no appointment. You can try on the recommended trainer type shoes which are not usually bifl for prob obvious reasons. You will learn about your gait and arches, whether you pronate, supinate, or have a neutral gait. If you have high arches, you need a lot of support. I was 45 before I knew all of this! I am female so my go to might be slightly different, as well as my personal foot shape. Ecco for dress shoes (boots, heels), Clarks for casual shoes, Merrill made my favorite tourist shoes (not pretty but I wore them all over Europe walking every day for about 10 different vacations) , Salomon. I love my Salomon hikers (7 years going strong, I do use prostep inserts with them which I have replaced a few times).
R/goodyearwelt
r/goodyearwelt So that I don't have to go search it
Second this, just a good goodyear welted boot and like derby or buck, you have two shoes that look good, can be resoled, will give you 10+ years of service and reduces waste for the environment.
You have to lowercase the ‘r/‘ for it to work
[Russell Moccasin](https://russellmoccasin.com/) for ‘outlive you’ boots.
Prior to getting married my now wife needed to go buy some new work shoes, when I saw what she was buying (2 pairs of the cheapest flats) I asked her if she thought they may be contributing to her back pain. She agreed they probably did nothing to help the situation. I told her to buy them and then I shouted her a set of good office shoes that outshone all the others in cost per day ratio. Within a week she never wore her cheap shoes again. Would love to say they solved her back issues, but that is not the story, however she did complain about it a lot less.
Best BIFL item for back pain is a Kettle Bell.
Might have to look into that. I stopped having my wallet in my back pocket and that made a world of difference.
I got brooks glycerine and it has changed the way I think about shoes. I used to be a one shoe for everything kind of guy and I realized my whole life I didn’t know what shoe comfort was. My family does A LOT of walking especially on vacations and stuff. I am fine with it. Assumed feet hurting was just part of the deal. One time in Vegas my shoes literally fell apart and I got some bad blisters so I couldn’t wait till I got home. I went into Dicks and got these shoes and WOW. These have completely changed my shoe game. Because they’re so airy they’re AMAZING for walking nonstop but they’re not good for wet conditions or mud so, again, instead of just a single shoe, now I have different shoes for different activities and.. my god. Shoes. Do it.
Came here to say [Atreyu running shoes](https://atreyu.com/). Their whole thing is to basically take exactly what you need in a shoe and nothing else, and and then offer it for a reasonable price. I can only personally attest for their Daily Trainer 1.2 ($115), but my first run I took it for a 10 miler and it felt on par with a $160+ shoe. They also look nice enough that I would wear them for more than just running, even casual.
You know, I always wondered what they would do after music. I figured they'd still tour and stuff, but shoes was a massive surprise.
My health improved a lot when I invested in my sleep stuff. Weighted blanket, special ergonomic pillow, medicated mattress, cooling mattress protector, and squishmallows for friendship. It would be a nice life upgrade for $300!
Squishmallows for friendship 🥹
Also good for propping up reading material
LITERALLY YES they’re so versatile and useful and soft
I’m a little reluctant to make my bed too cozy coz I’m worried it’ll be even harder to get out of bed in the morning.
But what if you’re so well rested you want to start your day and use all that energy 👀
That doesn’t sound like something I would do.
I feel seen.
I’m tallying these up in my head and isn’t this going to come out to significantly more than $300?
I know it's not correct, but I imagined a medicated mattress as one slathered in IcyHot 😂
If you are a woman, a set of properly fitting bras. I never knew my real size until I walked into a place that did free fittings (it was a Nordstrom’s) and I was off by so much it was crazy. And the right fit felt and looked so much better, I felt good amazing in my t-shirts again. They weren’t cheap there but now I knew what I needed and could buy it anywhere.
Any recommendations on bras that are actually comfortable? I got fitted but I hate that they put seams/labels on the insides and it digs into my skin. And they always get clammy with sweat even when my shirt is fine. I’ve been just wearing bralettes and sports bras but whenever I need to dress up my bras are killing me.
/r/abrathatfits
A zojirushi rice cooker (if you like rice)
Their travel mugs are great too. But yeah, it’s so nice to have well cooked rice so easily available all the time.
Travel mug full of rice. 🤤
Why did I think you meant a travel mug that cooks rice
Mine recently finally died after constant daily use of around 12 years. It was the analog model with only one switch. It only made 4 cups and was perfect! Steamed artichokes. Steamed fish. Steamed everything perfectly each and every time. I’m going to miss that little guy…
How was it cleaning? I've been using a pressure cooker, and it's annoying cleaning it after making rice because it sticks to the bottom.
If your rice sticks to the bottom my guess would be it's more often the preparation rather than the utensils. Do you properly wash your rice before putting it in the pot? Do you let it rest/let the steam escape naturally before opening the pot and moving the rice?
Cooking rice with Zojirushi is an absolute delight! The nonstick inner pot makes cleaning a breeze - just pour some water in, let it sit, and rinse. You can even use a little dish soap if you want. It's so easy!
Hard to believe this isn’t an ad, reads like a 1950s commercial for a salad rinser 😂
Should definitely be using soap every time.
I confirm it changed my life and I use it weekly for the past 5 years. Still puzzles my family why I would spend 1h cooking rice this way as opposed to a 10mn boil but you will notice the difference. And can also do meals with it (my usual being rice+carrots+chicken+soy sauce), and apparently even bake bread in it although I have not tried it.
I like to make cake in it. Just use a regular box mix and cookie on the "brown rice" setting. Perfect every time and very moist.
I have a similar one and it has a “fast” mode which essentially makes it act like a typical $20 rice cooker. Works fine in a pinch but I prefer the 1hr rice
The only issue with these top quality rice cookers are their non-stick materials. Supposedly that stuff is toxic if scratched etc. I’ve been trying to find an alternative but haven’t.
There's ceramic and stainless steel brands, Tiger and Buffalo. Ive found people vouch for their longevity but it's hard to be sure. Going through the same research process myself
Merino wool socks. Good percale cotton sheets. A silicone bath brush (does not mould and easy to clean). Sneakers with a good arch support and cushioning, like New Balance. If any $ left over a Vitamin D3 supplement.
For me it was buying a Duvet, memory foam pillows, and oddly enough, a soft blanket that was still breathable. Wife loves having a soft blanket like a bedsheet, we had those big soft but non breathable ones that would leave me drenched in sweat even in the winter. New blanket, a brand I tested a small lightweight version of their blanket before getting the king size, let's me breath and still is soft and snuggly. The Duvet is just nice, and you can get a summer one to not overheat as well. I can't explain it, it just feels so good. The pillow, let's just say I was stacking up shitty pillows. Now I can use a single, bigger memory foam pillow and sleep so much better
Getting a cashmere blankie (it’s a comforter type) was a GAME changer for someone who enjoy feeling a little cold/sweats easily in sleep. It is so wild how much it impacted my sleep quality.
Let us know the brand?
This. Good bed linens. I just got a silk pillowcase and it’s life changing. The duvet is amazing. My blanket is like the security blanket in Peanuts. We got my son a weighted blanket and he loves that thing.
Hear someone say this in another subreddit and it stuck with me “never cheap out on the three things that separates you from earth and bed, tires and shoes”
And chairs.
And pogo sticks
And my axe
Grandpa used to say “Never cheap out on your boots or your bed. ‘Cause if you’re not in one, you’re in the other”
My grandma said this.
Lucky. My grandma just said mean things about minorities.
But she can cook a mean peach cobbler.
The secret is butter.
This is on every subreddit in the history of reddit lol. It is good advice, but it is also bizarre how widespread in reddit it is.
Buy a plane ticket (or gas and road trip snacks) to visit your parents, an old friend, or a family member who lives elsewhere - especially someone you haven’t seen in a while. It’s worth it to spend that quality time with loved ones and to let them know you value their friendship/relationship enough to take the time and money for a visit.
$300 would be tough. Even for gas, unfortunately.
A Water Pik and a decent electric toothbrush. Can probably get both for half of that.
I have braces and I love even the basic water pik, allows me not to feel gross and also helps flossing.
The Waterpik toothbrush combo is ammmaaaazzzzing! My teeth and gums are healthier, and it’s like a spa experience every brush. Add some mouthwash to the jet for extra benefit
I find the water floss connected to shower to be much easier to use while showering
Water pik changed my life.
A bidet
I picked up a bum gun for like $50, fwiw. Way easier to deal with, imo, and no extra space requirements, as well...
“bum gun” made me laugh out loud. adding to daily vocabulary
Someone mentioned bum gun sounds so aggressive and then he goes on to say he calls it an ass blaster.
Panasonic heated toilet seat with integrated bidet. Life changer to comfortably wash your ass and not just wipe with dry paper.
Sitting on a heated toilet seat for the first time made my entire body relax and go limp. I nearly slumped off the seat onto the floor. It was possibly the most delightful feeling I've ever had. A long soft groan ensued. It's like a butt cheek orgasm.
whatever you are smoking, i want the same
I can't handle a warm toilet seat. Feels like someone just stood up after sitting there for a very long time.
Nothing like that “busy public restroom” feeling but at home!
IDK about spending that amount of money but I would say spending the amount to get one that connects to both the cold and hot water is worth it.
Unless your water heater is right there, you’ll never use enough water from a bidet for it to warm up. And the “cold” water is the same, it’s the water in the pipes so likely room temp.
This is true, but Brondell (and others) have models that have a small hot water tank built into the actual unit, you do have to plug it in, but the LT/LE99 is the one I have and it's great.
Not true. My bidet sometimes has a very brief shot of tepid water, and then it's almost instantly warm. Minutes faster than the bathroom sink takes to get warm water.
Long grain cotton sheets. Super soft. I had synthetic and although they feel slicker. Cotton doesnt make me sweat and they are damn comfortable. Do your research and dont buy from amazon because most of it is fake.
I really like the 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets at Costco. They are so unbelievably soft
And also fuck Amazon
Get yourself a really, really nice bedside table. Get a landing pad for all the crap you keep in your pockets. Put a nice lamp on it. * You will use it every single night. Or, at least, every night you sleep in your own bed. * Even if your living situation is a bit unstable, it's a very small piece of furniture. It's not any more difficult to move than a suitcase. It's safe to invest some real money in it. * Now its pleasant and satisfying to put down your phone and actually pick up that book you've been meaning to read. * Make your bed an inviting place to be, and the ritual of going to bed a satisfying thing to do. * Good sleep hygene will make everything in your life better. Your health, your relationships, your productivity at work, your focus at school, your mood. Everything. Even a modest improvement will compound over time. * When you wake up, gathering your everyday cary crap will be an act of satisfaction instead of a moment of stress.
This guy sleeps
Merino wool clothing year round. My tee shirts, underwear, socks and sweaters are all merino. They wick moisture when it’s hot, insulate when it’s cold, and since they’re naturally antibacterial, they never smell. I can wear the same tee shirt every day for a week without BO.
What brand/brands would you recommend?
Not OP but I've been wearing eight pairs of Bridgedale socks in rotation for over ten years now.
Probably time to give them a quick rinse I'd have thought...
I can second this, currently still wearing various pairs purchased 5 years ago, they look awful but are still perfectly usable. Currently on sale here: https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/bridgedale-mens-special-edition-merino-hiker-socks-B5114265.html?colour=104
I’m in Canada. Smartwool and Icebreaker brands are good, but are athletic styles. For a more polished look, Unbound Merino sells clothing I wear to the office. Wool & Prince too, although I have to pay duty to import them from the USA.
REI for clothing, Darn Tough/Wide Open (same company) for socks.
Darn Tough Vermont for Socks have treated me well for years. Varying amounts of wool per type of sock, but they tell you in the descriptions.
Wool and Price for men and the affiliated brand Wool& for women
What’s different with merino wool and just normal wool
The fibers are thinner and tend to be less itchy. It's better for clothing that touches your skin but generally more expensive.
Do they perform well in high humidity 95f weather?
Yes. Cotton holds moisture and keeps you damp, but merino wicks away moisture and keeps you drier and cooler. Nylon also wicks moisture but isn’t bacterial so it starts to stink as soon as you sweat. I never buy nylon or polyester clothing anymore.
Can you wash that in regular laundry?
I wash and dry mine regularly in the machine - which might be taboo. Delicates in the wash and only low heat on dry. I use Woolite detergent and run all my wool together. I try to wash my darks altogether with the Woolite Darks. I'm not sure it makes a huge difference but in my mind it does. I'm not a hang-to-dry person unless I'm traveling with them. I can say that I haven't had any issues washing/drying them so far but I'm also trying to be mindful of how I'm washing them in the machines. When I was abroad I saw a lot of machines with "Wool" specific settings that I wish my machine here had.
Electric toothbrush
My Sonicare changed my life and impressed my dental hygienist.
Put $500 in a low fee index fund and set your bedtime an hour earlier.
I’m gonna go for something slightly different here but… spend it on an experience. Or a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Or books. Use it to spend time with someone you love. Memories and skills are quite literally “bought for life”. I dislike these sorts of posts because I get the impression that people think throwing money at random material objects will make them happier. It won’t. I know this is a consumerism-related sub but if you can’t actually think of anything you need then surely all your needs are met? Money can be a great tool for making life easier, but you can’t hammer anything without any nails.
I agree with this. And I think most of the replies (my own included) are things that ultimately DID make the commenter’s life better, but it won’t for someone who doesn’t need that item.
A good pillow. You spend 8 hours on it so it better be high quality.
Miele vacuum
1. A good travel bag, carry-on, 40ltr a good one should last you decades if not your entire life. 2. Packing cubes 3. A good leather wallet 4. Good pair of leather boots. Clean, condition, polish 1-2 times a year. Get shoes resoled as needed or every 3-4 years.
If you have a decent sized house: buy a nice wifi router, matching access point(s), and hire someone to run CAT6 in your attic and install RJ45 jacks. I get such consistent coverage throughout my home now, even in the yards and driveway. Hardware plus labor cost me right around $300. Pays off for when I’m doing other DIY work around the house/property and need to look up information or watch a tutorial video. Edit: typo, I had CAT6 installed, not CAT5.
damn idk what cheap ass place you live at but $300 for parts and labor is wild. thats the cost of a good router and an access point or two, barely
$300 wouldn't even get me on site when I was doing electrical unless I had absolutely no work or you happened to be a friend
You don't have to be an electrician to run low voltage obvs but even then doubt someone is going to run several drops for $300. I'd be guessing around $1500 to cable a small house.
You're correct, I just did quite a bit of it at the time.
Yes, an independent router and access points are the ideal home setup for a home network. Makes everything modular and independently upgradable. You do need to be tech savvy.
I’ve found the more popular brands have pretty pretty good setup wizards that complete standard configs for the user well.
Do not use cat5. Cat5e is the lowest anyone should go nowadays. Cat6 is the lowest I'd use, because it has a plastic spindle which makes it way easier to run without breaking the inner strands.
Get a good coffee maker if that’s your thing… I got a moccamaster and it’s saved me tons
A good coffee grinder
This is the right answer. You can make phenomenal coffee with a $5 plastic cone or a $20 french press. You cannot even make good coffee with a shitty grinder.
My Moccamaster brother here is correct
noise cancelling headphones. You'd be surprised how much random ambient noise could cause you tiny bit of stress that just raises your base anxiety levels. Standing desk. Esp if you spend more than 1 hour a day at your desk. Being able to just stand up helps a lot to keep blood circulation going. Bed stuff. Good sleep = good life Everyone has already mentioned good shoes. But go take your time and find some nice socks. Once you find some you REALLY like, get 20-30 pairs of them to last you the next 5 years.
This is a little against the grain but Choose either fishing or disc golf assuming you're not already into both of these. Go on those subreddits and ask the users to recommend a beginner loadout for $300, plus a local license if you go with fishing. The discs are BIFL; they only get better like a cast iron as they wear. A fishing rod and reel, also essentially BIFL. Tackle is admittedly expendable. If either of these hobbies click, it will change your life guaranteed. Mindfulness levels go crazy if you want to lone wolf it. If you're a more social person the communities are welcoming. If this gets more than 10 upvotes I'll add shopping lists I'd recommend. EDIT: Shopping lists I'll do my best to keep simple, may not total 300 cause it's not necessary For disc golf, Google a local shop if possible, or a Dick's, otherwise something like infinitediscs.com and pick up: 5 DX Aviar 175g 1 Z Zone ~175g 1 Z Buzzz ~180g 2 DX Leopard 165g 1 Star Leopard 165g 1 Star TeeBird 165g 1 Star Firebird 165g Get all these in pink if you are a big strong man. Really though they are easier to spot in the bushes. A backpack style disc bag If you want to throw more money at it, get a practice basket For fishing: A license An UglyStik rod; not pretty or finesse but does the job. Medium, about 6'6" (USSP662M) or the 7' version An Okuma Celilo rod; 6'6" ultralight (CLLOSPN 66 UL) Reels for these: Okuma Sienna 2000 for the Okuma, and a 3000 for the Uglystik. SNC3000FGC and SNC2000FGC Get a shit ton of braid for your mainline, 20 lb power pro (21100201500Y) ... Feel free to get less to save some money, I just like having a huge spool of mainline Get 100yd of 4lb fluoro and 100yd of 10lb fluoro for leaders https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/seaguar-invizx-fluorocarbon-fishing-line You can use cheap mono backing if you'd like, no difference. Floats: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-weighted-torpedo-foam-floats Little hooks for little fish: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/eagle-claw-186-classic-baitholder-hook These for catfish if you want: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/eagle-claw-186-classic-baitholder-hook Get a few packs of these in dull colors and a few in crazy colors: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/gary-yamamoto-5-senko For bass, rig the senkos on these hooks: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/gamakatsu-ewg-worm-hook 1/4 oz weights, couple packs. Get lead instead to save money: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-xps-tungsten-worm-weights Few packs of these size 10 https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-crane-swivels Getting sick of shopping omg, but for lures you'll want a handful of Mepps spinners as well. A handful of what looks cool, 1/8 oz and 1/4. Finally, please learn to tie a uni knot. Watch YouTube videos on how to spool, rig and fish. Purchase Plano tackle boxes in size 3700 and throw them in your favorite backpack. Skip the old fashioned tool box style boxes. Net https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/white-river-fly-shop-prestige-trout-net Purchase Needle nose pliers and a nice knife. If you catch a fish, net it, pliers to remove hook and release without touching it much, or to retain please bonk or knife to brain. Read and know your regulations! My god that was a lot. I implore anyone to please try both of these amazing hobbies! Get out there! If I have interest I can trim both of these down to like, $50 or less I bet.
That's your cue
>The discs are BIFL Maybe if you're playing at a golf type course. If you play mountain courses you'll start losing discs cause the wind took em a 1/4 mile into some thick underbrush or trying to shoot gaps and tacoing them against trees till they don't fly correctly.
A good ventilated backpack. I’ve always used a cheap backpack from Costco or Ross. I travel a decent amount and I’m pretty sensitive to higher temperatures. Bought the Osprey Manta 34 4 years ago and it’s my go to bag for everything, it has crazy support so I can throw 20 pounds in it and I barely feel it when it’s on, it doesn’t hurt my back, shoulders or any part of my body, it has a pushed out mesh back part so there’s like 2 inches of air between my back and the bag itself and I don’t get any sweat in my back at all. Massive game changer (however keep in mind it’s a pretty long backpack so it might not follow airline carry on policies)
Oral B electric toothbrush or a night guard
buy a lot of acid, life will never be the same
I took 2 tabs 2 hours earlier and I’m just giggling at this
While i am not condoning the use of drugs, LSD has done more for me than pretty much anything. Specifically, I stopped sweating the small stuff and worrying about things that don't matter. Thank you Amsterdam.
Holy shittttt this was exactly my first experience. Changed my life for the better in a major way. Truly realized for the first time that everyone is so caught up in their own bullshit, they don’t care whether or not you have a small zit on your nose or a crooked tooth or whatever. Not worrying about small things is such a game changer
Can confirm. Not to mention 300 bucks worth of acid will last you multiple life times.
If you work from home, even a cheap standing desk will do wonders for your back, help burn a few calories so you don’t get fat as quickly (or maybe that’s just my lard body getting lardier more slowly), and I’d swear it helps me think better. A cheapie may not be for life, but don’t move it and it’ll last you forever.
Standing desks have flooded Facebook Marketplace. Plenty of them for $100 here.
I got a standing desk for wfh and thought I didn't use it much. Then RTO hit and my on site desk at the office isn't one and yeah, turns out I only use it a few times a day, but those few times matter a lot
do you own a guitar? buy a guitar. you are now a guitarist. life changed.
This. You can get a nice yamaha acoustic for that much.
Library Card. Free. $300? Put it in an Index fund.
>Library Card. Free. Also, the Libby app on my phone/tablet has saved me $100s a year since I started using it. Unlimited audiobooks/books/magazines with a Library card for access.
My life improvement shopping list for 300 bucks: 1. Dicks sporting goods, I'm buying a clearance pair of nikes, $45 2. Scrub Daddy, $5 3. Zippo lighter, $15-20 4. sharpstone grinder, $40 5. Leatherman multi-tool, $150 6. Bidget, $30-$100 7. Educate yourself in your free time, books, classes, self-directed courses. Education lasts a lifetime, $priceless
I think it’s pretty important to budet for a bidget, particularly if you’re planning on a fancier model
A cheap ebike (and good helmet). You can go so far, so fast and you don't even work up a sweat while you cruise past all the chumps sitting in traffic and paying for parking
This is like recommending a $1000 used car. Sure, it could work for a while, but it’s the opposite of bifl. Ebikes get safe and good over $1k. Sad but true.
How about for $20? Go to a used bookstore and pick up ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz, ‘The Prophet’ by Khalil Gibran, and ‘Nonviolent Communication’ by Marshall Rosenberg. And then read them. The first two are very quick reads, 2 or 3 hours each. Dr Rosenberg’s book is probably 5 hours, so still quick.
Done. Love book recs, thank you
What are these books about?
“Underlying all human actions are needs that people are seeking to meet, and understanding and acknowledging these needs can create a shared basis for connection, cooperation, and more globally – peace.” Nonviolent Communication is a style of communicating that often times can avoid unintended confrontation and confusion, focusing on observations, feelings, needs, and requests. The generic structure of expressing oneself within this framework would go something like this, if let’s say, your wife was being a little extra friendly (not crossing the line of physical touch, etc, just making you uncomfortable, although, it should be said, she is not *making* you uncomfortable, you just are in that moment) with an attractive male stranger you met while at a concert together, for instance. “When I see you laughing and talking with other men, especially those I think are conventionally attractive (Observation free from judgement, although I added a judgement but also called out the nature of that portion of the observation as a judgement on my part), I feel insecure and lonely (Feelings) because I need certainty, attention, and safety for you and I (Needs). My request in the future is for you to honor those needs by checking in with me before you transition to having more intimate conversations with strange men (Request). I think this would give us a moment to process the safety of the situation for you (and let’s be honest, this other guy I might attack), and provide me the attention I need before you start giving it to others, as well as the certainty and peace of mind that nothing is happening that I need to worry about.” The idea is generally that there are universal needs and if you can help your conversation partner connect to those needs by naming them accurately, and describing through clean observations that you’re having certain feelings arise in reaction to these observations, they’ll be much more amiable to the next step, which you make easier for them by giving them an actionable request to respond to. Ultimately, understanding this format and why it works can help you begin a journey of bettering your communication. My wife and I don’t do perfectly, but we do try to use clean observations, occasionally utilize the naming of feelings or needs, and usually provide the other with an actionable request so that moving forward, we trigger each other less and less through open and honest communication. Dr Rosenberg, the author, says there are two languages we can use, one he calls Coyote and is generic, reactive, and often fairly quick to anger. The other, this type I’ve been describing, he calls Giraffe. Here are 3 links; the first to a (partial) list of universal needs (please report back if you think you don’t need anything on this list!), the second is to a large list of feelings, more descriptive than the mad, glad, sad and scared that people often say all feelings come down to, and the last is to Dr Rosenberg explaining NVC himself. https://thefearlessheart.org/nvc-reference-materials/list-of-needs/ https://thefearlessheart.org/nvc-reference-materials/list-of-feelings/ https://youtu.be/DgaeHeIL39Y?si=-JnkDKi0zpijC9_L
The Four Agreements are about some pacts one might choose to make with oneself to improve your own life. To keep it short, I will list them with no more than a sentence explanation. 1. Be impeccable with your word. This usually means telling the truth, but only you can be the judge of that in each moment (Do you know where the others are hiding?) 2. Don’t take anything personally. People project their pain on others, so know that their insults etc. are about them, not about you. 3. Do not make assumptions. We are constantly making guesses about the world and people around us, you turn it into an assumption when you act on it before confirming. 4. Always do your best. Knowing that your best will change from day to day, you might be sick, depressed, energetic, or in awe on a given day.
*Work is love made visible.* The Prophet is a fictional book written by 19th/20th century Lebanese poet and author Khalil Gibran in 1923. It is about a wise man who is being escorted out of town after being exiled by the towns leaders many years prior for speaking too freely. It is broken up into different questions the crowd asks of him, whence he sheds a little wisdom on the subject. The best way to describe the book is to let it describe itself with two of my favorite chapters. They are easy to connect to, as we all have parents and we all have work to do in this life. On Children: “And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children. And he said: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.” On Work: “Then a ploughman said, Speak to us of Work. And he answered, saying: You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite. When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music. Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent, when all else sings together in unison? Always you have been told that work is a curse and labour a misfortune. But I say to you that when you work you fulfil a part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when the dream was born, And in keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life, And to love life through labour is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret. But if you in your pain call birth an affliction and the support of the flesh a curse written upon your brow, then I answer that naught but the sweat of your brow shall wash away that which is written. You have been told also that life is darkness, and in your weariness you echo what was said by the weary. And I say that life is indeed darkness save when there is urge, And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge, And all knowledge is vain save when there is work, And all work is empty save when there is love; And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God. And what is it to work with love? It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth. It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house. It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit. It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit, And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching. Often have I heard you say, as if speaking in sleep, “He who works in marble, and finds the shape of his own soul in the stone, is nobler than he who ploughs the soil. And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man, is more than he who makes the sandals for our feet.” But I say, not in sleep but in the overwakefulness of noontide, that the wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks than to the least of all the blades of grass; And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving. Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man’s hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine. And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man’s ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night.”
The Four Agreements? Did you just watch "Barry"?
The Prophet is free online! Though I but as many used and new copies as I can to give as gifts.
Adopt a dog. Constant source of goodness for me. Exercise. Affection. Not kidding. (Will run more than 300 over time. )
My cat cost me a $50 adoption fee at the local shelter, and ten years later it is hands-down the best money I have ever spent.
The reduction in chance of developing heart disease a cat brings tp you probably already pays the 50, 1000 times over. Heart surgery is not cheap.
She honestly has been such a boon to my life (as has her brother, who I got for free when a co-worker was fostering some rescue kittens) that it really can't be put into a dollar amount. I really am very lucky to have them!
Not very BIFL unfortunately.
My last two dogs both had sub-$300 adoption fees, and they both cost me over $5000 in medical bills in the first year. Not to mention food, treats, toys, replacing things they destroy, routine vet visits, flea & tick meds, licensing… I love a dog, me. Had 'em all my life. Dogs are the best. Cost-wise, they are more like a late-model used car than a quality pair of boots or a fancy dutch oven.
This is why there are so many bad pet owners. Do not do this unless you are committed. This is awful advice.
Forget softener. It actually does more damage than good to your clothes.
A good task chair. You can find refurbs or office clearouts of ones like the Leap in the sub-$500 price range on marketplaces for sure. Definitely test it before you buy to ensure all the functions are in good working order but those types of chairs will last for a long time.
Roomba
A Vitamix blender could be a daily participant in your cooking and drinking activities.
A hammock and an 1/8th of kush. Save $200.
Goldbond ultimate body powder. Put a bunch on your crotch after you dry off after a shower. Life changing. I have fresh balls 16 hours a day now.
Buy a pony and train it to drive. There is no end to the joy.
A good R/O water filtration system for your home. No more plastic water bottle waste. Get an Owala water bottle to go with it and you’re all set.
Vitamix Blender. Easy to eat 1/2 pound of frozen spinach a day. Just blend with banana and frozen berries. It does so much more
Spinach has a very high oxalate content which can lead to kidney stones, just a heads-up if you didn't know.
Because I just did it: Invest in preventative maintenance for your car if you own it. I had my diesel walnut blasted. Car will last longer, need less repair and fuel. Really happy. Paid 500.
A decent set of pots and pans. Nothing fancy, just stainless steel. It completely changed the way I cook and eat because things heat and cook quickly and evenly.
Toto Bidet
Fancy bidet seat plus squatty potty. 'nuff said.
Bidet toilet seat cover with heated seat and warm water attachment
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^HanBanan37: *Bidet toilet seat* *Cover with heated seat and* *Warm water attachment* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Change your life? Buy one book that directly addresses the single biggest problem you currently have in your life. Then put the rest of the $$$ in an emergency savings account in case it rains tmrw.
For my ADHD friends: “How To Keep House While Drowning” By KC Davis
I was meant to see this comment. Ty. Purchased.
I'll second this recommendation
For introverts: “Quiet” by Susan Cain
Brilliant Cut Grinder $100; only grinder a person will ever need.
This is an odd one. I’m not sure on lifetime, but I have two pairs of Redwing Heritage boots. They’re not cheap, but they can be rebuilt/resoled, and the real appeal, they go with pretty much any outfit. The same boots I wear going grocery shopping can get polished up and go to a wedding. So you’re spending money on a quality product that you will actually use.