What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities
User avatar
Stinky
Posts: 14088
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:38 am
Location: Sweet Home Alabama

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Stinky »

sf_work wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:47 pm July 2019, Bought a 2-year gym membership from Costco for $279. It has brought my weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control.
Best purchase I made in the last decade.
Are you going to renew in July 2021?
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
X528
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:51 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by X528 »

A zero gravity/massage recliner.
User avatar
NAVigator
Posts: 2544
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:24 am
Location: Iowa

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by NAVigator »

Amana Radarange microwave - countless cups of coffee, always hot. Bought it at a store that only sold microwaves, so you know the salesperson was a technical specialist!
"I was born with nothing and I have most of it left."
montanagirl
Posts: 1799
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2009 3:55 pm
Location: Montana

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by montanagirl »

fly fisher wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:47 pm Easily the best ~$1k I ever spent was for a sprinkler system for our “lawn” in the dry Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Prior to the sprinkler system we would drag hoses around the property after work all summer. The first evening the sprinklers engaged we enjoyed gin and tonics on the porch.
You got a sprinkler system for $1000?
DonDraper
Posts: 149
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:34 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by DonDraper »

IPad.
FrogPerson
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 4:46 pm
Location: Alaskan Rainforest

Season ski pass and new AT skis

Post by FrogPerson »

Without question this changed my life. Retired, fit and healthy at 59, I went from mediocre skier to expert and just went heli-skiing for the first time (that cost $62, yes, $62). I skied 4 to 5 times per week (cross-country skate sking, downhill, and alpine touring). I made a heap of new friends, all older, expert skier like myself. Not for everyone, but think about some gear that will add joy, fitness, friends and endorphins to your life.
User avatar
foosball
Posts: 122
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 4:45 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by foosball »

Nine ideas, some already mentioned:
  • Puppy
  • High-end iPhone
  • Pellet grill
  • Season tickets (local university sports, symphony, museum, local events)
  • Lessons/coaching in a sport, musical instrument, or hobby that you enjoy
  • A basic home weightlifting setup
  • Cordless lawnmower & spin trimmer
  • Audiophile headphones and a streaming music subscription
  • Have your auto professionally detailed

A puppy was the first and the best answer, though.
Tilterati
modest_man
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 10:37 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by modest_man »

LiveSimple wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:57 pm Puppy !!!
I hate to be that guy but I'm going to be that guy.

First off, most breeders typically charge, at minimum, several thousand dollars for a purebred puppy. Prior to Covid, owners would bring in Frenchies that would easily sell at $5,000 a pop.

Okay, then what about adoption? Your best best is to go through a rescue that covers spay/neuter, initial (or all) vaccines, and initial deworming/fecal tests. For instance, a national rescue near me covers all of that for a cheap adoption fee.

That said, puppies easily come with parasites, upper respiratory tract infections, etc at minimum. Medications and veterinary visits are contingent upon the local cost of living.

Let's say you take your puppy to the dog park and it's bit. Sedation and bite wound repair/treatment? $600-1200 easily. What if it steps on some glass and lacerates a toe? $600-800.

What if the puppy comes down with something more serious? The ER I work at charges $139 for the initial exam fee. X-rays (with radiology consult) are $354, closer to $500 if we need to stat them. Blood work is $242. A parvo test is $95. These are all starting diagnostics and do not include any treatment.

Emergency abdominal surgery for a sock ingestion? Used to be $4000-6000 out the door, now closer to $6000-8000. CareCredit is your friend. Torn ACL? Several thousand per knee (50% of these cases blow out their other knee as well). Back surgery for a Corgi/Frenchie/Dachshund? $6000-8000 for the back, add $2000 for the neck.

For routine preventative care, a rabies vaccine, distemper/parvo/lepto, bordetella/kennel cough vaccine, heartworm test, and 12 months of heartworm/flea prevention will easily cost $600-800. Those are minimum annual costs.

If the dog has allergies, a referral to a local dermatologist is easily $1000/visit.

Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.

In summary - $1000 for a puppy? Yes, for the first 6-12 months if you do your homework and you're lucky. Otherwise this estimate is wholly unrealistic.

NB: these are prices in a MCOL to HCOL area. However, while some LCOL areas offer much cheaper options, I often do find that you get what you pay for.
Monsterflockster
Posts: 980
Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2019 11:03 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Monsterflockster »

Down payment on a really, really good bike.
oktax
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:59 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by oktax »

For me, it was the $900 espresso machine I splurged on at the beginning of the year. It's been a great treat to make my own espresso based drinks every day, and it's kept me out of coffee shops for the most part (which is saving both time and money--hey, it's practical too!).
Nicolas
Posts: 4886
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:41 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Nicolas »

A Sole F63 treadmill. I paid $850 and got free shipping and assembled it myself. We use it daily. Big quality of life improvement.
nigel_ht
Posts: 4742
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 9:14 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by nigel_ht »

modest_man wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
So going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…
Jags4186
Posts: 8198
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:12 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Jags4186 »

Based on a recent story I just saw about Peter Thiel, it seems the best quality of life improvement for $1000 is depositing into a Roth IRA and over a course of 22 years turning it into $5,000,000,000.
Last edited by Jags4186 on Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
Dontwasteit
Posts: 210
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:52 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Dontwasteit »

Lobster...Plenty of it!
dknightd
Posts: 3715
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2018 10:57 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by dknightd »

runner3081 wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:32 pm Use it for daily expenses and put $1k in VTSAX
I'd probably spend some on a gift for my spouse, maybe flowers, and turn the rest into "cash" as runner3081 suggests.
Retired 2019. So far, so good. I want to wake up every morning. But I want to die in my sleep. Just another conundrum. I think the solution might be afternoon naps ;)
lightheir
Posts: 2684
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 11:43 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by lightheir »

Jags4186 wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:07 am Based on a recent story I just saw about Peter Thiel, it seems the best quality of life improvement for $1000 is depositing into a Roth IRA and over a course of 22 years turning it into $5,000,0000,000.
If you take $1000 and invest it with an outsized 10% per year return annually averaged, you will have a whopping $8000 after 22 years.

Obviously if you invest in one of the highest-flying stocks over those 22 years, you'll have a chance at approaching Peter Thiel.

I've bought and held Apple for 22 years, and it's not even worth over half the zeros in the number you gave
SimonJester
Posts: 2500
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2011 12:39 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by SimonJester »

Forget buying things... Take a vacation somewhere special.
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
vested1
Posts: 3492
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:20 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by vested1 »

Yakport, $1,200. It attaches to the dock and you can launch the canoe or kayaks and get back on the dock without getting wet.

https://www.yakport.com/?utm_medium=cpc ... vXEALw_wcB

With our shoreline it was almost impossible to launch then return to land with those boats.
modest_man
Posts: 81
Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 10:37 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by modest_man »

nigel_ht wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:59 am
modest_man wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
So going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…
Depends on several factors. My short answer is 'no.' Just prior to the great recession, I graduated with a $130,000 in student debt and started my first full-time position at $68,000/year.

Nowadays, vet school costs upward to $200,000 - $250,000. Vets are making more, but nowhere near enough to justify the debt load. There are ways to make really good money, but those individuals are typically the exception to the rule.

In addition, take a look at the statistics regarding suicide among veterinarians https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/ ... .254.1.104

Just my 0.02
nigel_ht
Posts: 4742
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 9:14 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by nigel_ht »

modest_man wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 4:14 pm
nigel_ht wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:59 am
modest_man wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
So going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…
Depends on several factors. My short answer is 'no.' Just prior to the great recession, I graduated with a $130,000 in student debt and started my first full-time position at $68,000/year.

Nowadays, vet school costs upward to $200,000 - $250,000. Vets are making more, but nowhere near enough to justify the debt load. There are ways to make really good money, but those individuals are typically the exception to the rule.

In addition, take a look at the statistics regarding suicide among veterinarians https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/ ... .254.1.104

Just my 0.02
Ugh...that's terrible. Well, we are puppy-less but plan on getting one eventually. When we do, we'll be extra nice to our vet.
ronno2018
Posts: 567
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 9:31 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by ronno2018 »

I think something exercise related or family related would be best, but I would buy a couple bottles of Kirkland Signature branded "Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky" by Alexander Murray for $40 each, as well. :sharebeer
Wannaretireearly
Posts: 4846
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:39 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Wannaretireearly »

SimonJester wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 9:55 am Forget buying things... Take a vacation somewhere special.
How about one at home?
Currently lounging with kids in an over ground pool. 75 degrees perfect weather. Cost $600 last year. Cheaper now I think. Including all other pool stuff, still under $1k.

Lounging at home in a pool, with or without the kids, priceless!
“At some point you are trading time you will never get back for money you will never spend.“ | “How do you want to spend the best remaining year of your life?“
elsadog
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2021 9:36 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by elsadog »

If you like to cook: High quality Japanese single edge cooking knifes. Took me a long time to finally invest, what a change!
slidecreek
Posts: 111
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:28 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by slidecreek »

Espresso machine.
Goal33
Posts: 2004
Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2015 12:30 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Goal33 »

Power tools
RoadagentMN
Posts: 158
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2021 11:09 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by RoadagentMN »

Personal trainer- focus on your health account.
DoubleComma
Posts: 2032
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2020 2:23 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by DoubleComma »

Ikon Pass - problem is I’m skiing so much now I’ve collect 3 pairs of new skis for the various resorts and conditions. Like anything it can get out of hand…but skiing drives my highest quality of life.
JackoC
Posts: 4710
Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:14 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by JackoC »

modest_man wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
LiveSimple wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:57 pm Puppy !!!
I hate to be that guy but I'm going to be that guy.

In summary - $1000 for a puppy? Yes, for the first 6-12 months if you do your homework and you're lucky. Otherwise this estimate is wholly unrealistic.

NB: these are prices in a MCOL to HCOL area. However, while some LCOL areas offer much cheaper options, I often do find that you get what you pay for.
Or alternatively, get a shelter dog for a $165 donation and the other $835 will probably carry you for years, though it probably won't when the dog gets older. However, while we spent ~$5k on our most recent dog's end of life care, by then we would have spent $50k without hesitation *if* it was really going to cure her, not just make her suffer longer (the big catch with old dog care). $165 for an unbelievable dog, got comments on her on every long walk her whole life: 'wow'. A beautiful Dogo Argentino mix (pure breed puppies are a few $1k AFAIK not $1k), *plus* the nicest dog ever. Still hard to figure why she was available, though was kind of scary looking (some bad person cut off her ears to make her look like even tougher), maybe that's why she spent a long time in the shelter.
Dottie57
Posts: 12349
Joined: Thu May 19, 2016 5:43 pm
Location: Earth Northern Hemisphere

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Dottie57 »

Prahasaurus wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 7:28 am
carloslando wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:55 pm We have received an unexpected $1000 bonus. It is a gift card to spend on any purchase, so looking for spending ideas, else would have VTSAX'ed it away.
Wanted to spend it on something that improves our quality of life at home. Any recommendations for what you would buy (or have bought), that costs around $1000-$1200 and is something most or all members of your family enjoy?
Do you have a garden? There are lots of garden improvement projects that you can do together that will totally transform your yard, improve your quality of life, and impact your home resell value.

You can spend the money on proper garden tools (shovel, rake, wheel barrow, etc., as required), new plants, compost for the soil, a composter, mulch, etc. You could also add outdoor seating, hammock, basic lighting, etc. to compliment your new design. Even a greenhouse could work within this budget, if you are keen on growing your own veggies (healthier, cheaper). Really depends on what you have now, obviously, and what you'd like to do.

My wife and I recently transformed our garden. It has made a huge difference in our quality of life, as now we have an outdoor living room where we spend most of our day, surrounded by beautiful plants, with grapevines growing overhead to shield us from the sun. We added a dining table and chairs on the other side of the house, and we use that much more than our indoor dining table, at least from May through November. Since we did all of the garden work ourselves, it wasn't that expensive. For example, the large (over 2m!) sunflower plants that help shield us from the neighbors cost a whopping 1 Euro, as we planted them from seeds and they grew out completely within 2 months. All of the plants together cost around 500 Euro (probably about 40-50 plants in total), extensive mulching another 200 Euro, some vases for the patio, etc. The dining table and chairs were 150 Euro.

No, 1000 USD won't be enough if you go crazy, but just transforming one unused garden nook into a dining area or sitting area with beautiful, fragrant plants that attract bees and butterflies will do wonders for the soul. And it was a lot of fun to make it come together.
This. My dad built a grass level deck out of redwood attached to the Garage. After a while he made a slatted roof over the deck. Nice outdoor rocking chairs. A picnic table. It was a wonder full place to eat, relax, laugh and njoy backyard creatures. Since dad built it (not that handy) it was not that expensive. All the men in the neighborhood watched him and told him it would never work. Bit it did. Made momvery happy? :D
Last edited by Dottie57 on Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
RevFran
Posts: 380
Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2019 4:48 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by RevFran »

Housecleaning!
BogleFan510
Posts: 1039
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2020 2:13 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by BogleFan510 »

Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Dottie57
Posts: 12349
Joined: Thu May 19, 2016 5:43 pm
Location: Earth Northern Hemisphere

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Dottie57 »

BogleFan510 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Why use poles?
Dottie57
Posts: 12349
Joined: Thu May 19, 2016 5:43 pm
Location: Earth Northern Hemisphere

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Dottie57 »

DonDraper wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 8:46 pmIPad.

Love mine - I have two.
Dottie57
Posts: 12349
Joined: Thu May 19, 2016 5:43 pm
Location: Earth Northern Hemisphere

Re: Season ski pass and new AT skis

Post by Dottie57 »

FrogPerson wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:18 pm Without question this changed my life. Retired, fit and healthy at 59, I went from mediocre skier to expert and just went heli-skiing for the first time (that cost $62, yes, $62). I skied 4 to 5 times per week (cross-country skate sking, downhill, and alpine touring). I made a heap of new friends, all older, expert skier like myself. Not for everyone, but think about some gear that will add joy, fitness, friends and endorphins to your life.
But you didn’t tell us how you became expert and what the money was spent on.
nigel_ht
Posts: 4742
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 9:14 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by nigel_ht »

Dottie57 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:19 am
BogleFan510 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Why use poles?
Some of us are old.

Even young, sometimes they are handy and most fold up. Especially with heavier packs and terrain.
Dottie57
Posts: 12349
Joined: Thu May 19, 2016 5:43 pm
Location: Earth Northern Hemisphere

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Dottie57 »

nigel_ht wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:59 am
modest_man wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
So going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…
My dad was a vet. 40 years ago he told me he had to make 10k per day to just open the doors f the clinic. Xray machines and other equipment are expensive. So are technicians, taxes, insurance and rent.
User avatar
davibi02
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Mar 13, 2021 6:48 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by davibi02 »

Dottie57 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:19 am
BogleFan510 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Why use poles?
I'll let my knees answer that one. "Pop, crack, pop!"
JayhawkGolfer
Posts: 79
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2020 8:17 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by JayhawkGolfer »

Concept2 ERG Rower. $900 + $45 shipping + Tax.
reader79
Posts: 98
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:42 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by reader79 »

We call this sort of cash "memory money." My wife and I just spent about that much on some good tickets to see Eric Clapton on his upcoming tour. I know we'll remember it for years.
VTI: 50%, QQQM: 30%, VO: 10%, VB: 10%
tim1999
Posts: 4203
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:16 am

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by tim1999 »

Getting rid of my lawn and replacing it with $1,000 worth of landscape rock. Instead of weekly mowing, dealing with the clippings, dealing with maintaining the mower, ending up smelling like exhaust fumes and grass clippings, etc. I just have to blow off the rocks with a battery-powered leaf blower once per month into a small corner pile and bag it up. The time spent went from about 30 minutes per week to 15 minutes per month.
BogleFan510
Posts: 1039
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2020 2:13 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by BogleFan510 »

Dottie57 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:19 am
BogleFan510 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Why use poles?
They help prevent stubles on steep sections, especially downhill on loose gravel or mud. Also, using poles helps prevent back injury and works arms for a more total body workout, much like cross country skiing.
BogleFan510
Posts: 1039
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2020 2:13 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by BogleFan510 »

removed
Last edited by BogleFan510 on Fri Jul 09, 2021 5:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
JC Denton
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2021 3:16 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by JC Denton »

Switching from philips steam station to resmed airsense 10 cpap.
Finridge
Posts: 1094
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 7:27 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Finridge »

orlandoguy wrote: Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:08 pm Apple Watch - $399 and up. Fantastic for fitness tracking.
The Garmin Instinct and Garmin Instinct Solar models are pretty fantastic also.

I've long ago learned not to look for happiness from electronic gadgets, but if you are an athlete or have pretentions to be one, the new breed of sports watches really have a lot to offer. And they are a lot cheaper than hiring a personal trainer.
Bryzzo2016
Posts: 78
Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2017 11:15 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by Bryzzo2016 »

Kind of random - but Lutron Caseta light switches have been a game changer. Interior and exterior lights auto scheduled. Really convenient when traveling. Also because, you know, it's super hard to flip switches these days :-)

But at ~$60/ea they add up quick.
JayDee37
Posts: 263
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2021 1:08 pm
Location: California

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by JayDee37 »

A weekly/bi-weekly cleaning service, if you don't already have one.

Some sort of outdoor/patio improvement that will allow your family to really enjoy the backyard (comfy new outdoor furniture, fire pit, pergola/shade structure, etc).

Weekend getaway.

Upgrade equipment for an existing hobby.

As many massages as you can get.
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? | ~Mary Oliver
User avatar
dratkinson
Posts: 6108
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:23 pm
Location: Centennial CO

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by dratkinson »

winterfan wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:30 am A robot vacuum! It's so nice not to have to sweep under beds (we have hardwood floors though).
+1.

Vacuuming. Before a robot vacuum, the dust bunnies were taking over. Now, I've got them on the run.

Sweeping went from a "When I could no longer stand to look at dust bunnies" chore, to "Push the button, Max." simple.

A self-emptying base means I only empty unit once/month. (Monthly cleaning of base and robot vacuum takes ~15mins.)

Believe all models are <$1K.


Dusting. Use a hand-held dust mop and hair dryer (long extension cord) to agitate/remove dust from furniture/fixtures and blow it onto floor, before starting robot vacuum.


Combined. A dusting/vacuuming cycle use to take 2hrs, I hated it, and needed a shower afterwards. So I postponed the chore as long as possible. Now dusting takes ~2mins/room and vacuuming is no longer my job. Sweet.
d.r.a., not dr.a. | I'm a novice investor; you are forewarned.
mkc
Moderator
Posts: 3226
Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:59 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by mkc »

dratkinson wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:07 pm
Dusting. Use a hand-held dust mop and hair dryer (long extension cord) to agitate/remove dust from furniture/fixtures and blow it onto floor, before starting robot vacuum.
There's always the battery powered leaf blower option if you didn't want to drag around the extension cord ;-)
johan_s
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 5:58 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by johan_s »

Pellet grill, Traeger Pro 575.

Fired up and chicken prepped on my lunch break. Smoked chicken ready for dinner with zero effort, aside from turning off the grill on my phone, after grill sent the notification, during my conference call.
rikki
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:03 pm

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Post by rikki »

Another vote for the Concept2 Rower. I'm about to pull the trigger on getting one instead of going back to my fitness club. Will supplement with continued biking and lots of walking.
Post Reply