Comment by renewiltord

Under $100:

- Air fryer / Countertop Convection Oven: Good for lots of cooking, fast, crisps well

- Collapsible wagon: Easiest way to transport things places. Previously would drive to target etc. for lots of stuff, now just wheel it.

- Global Entry: Gives you TSA PreCheck. Returning from International Travel is like returning from Domestic Travel.

- Electric Toothbrush: Automated pause means I brush longer than before

- Lyft/Baywheels e-bike membership: No need to worry about parking or keeping bike. Faster than cars in SF often. 2x as fast as trains usually.

- Command Strips: Easiest way to stick things on walls. Cheap from Costco

- Costco Membership: Higher quality of customer. Makes everything better

- Cast Iron / Carbon Steel pans: These are great, and a lot less trouble than people make them out to be. I do wash them myself (no dishwasher) which is primary annoyance, but the oiling is easy and they do stay non-stick!

- Carbon Steel knives: I picked up a couple in Japan, wife had some from SF. They're great.

Over $1000:

- Cleaners: $200/mo

- Google Home/Nest speakers and smart lights: Nice to talk to things to turn them off when tired, shows photos of friends etc. Will have to give up the screens when child is born but till then it's nice.

- Amex Platinum: $650/yr (or something) Centurion Lounges are great. Upgrades at hotels are nice.

- Cordless Waterpik w/ storage reservoir: I still don't use as often as I should, but I do use it

Things that didn't quite work out as I was hoping:

- straight edge razor: used it for 2 years, not worth the effort

- car rooftop storage: used it rarely, it was worth it for then, but not usually

- cheaper credit cards: just spent money, not worthwhile

- Oculus: I bought every one that came out and I played with them for a while and then gave them up. Primarily Beat Saber using sideloaded tracks (which is where a lot of the fun is for me).