Mostly it’s to do boycotts. Like, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t play a video game. I’m generally quite loose with my money if it’s not on any boycott list, I can feel good about even pointless things if my money isn’t going to something evil.
K-Cups. They might save you a grand total of a minute over loose grounds and a disposable paper filter, but they’re more costly per cup and create more waste.
Lottery tickets.
They’re basically just a tax on the dumb. But man the slogans — all you need is a dollar and a dream, you gotta be in it to win it, etc. — sheer marketing genius.
I’ll buy them as “gag gifts” but not for myself.
Apple anything
You must buy $1600 iphone to support failing US economy.
Please don’t look at all the alternatives that are 3 years ahead in tech and 1/3rd of the cost.
Ahhhh but those devices don’t have ‘the ecosystem’. You know, that bloated software that locks you into apple everything by making a handful of tasks marginally more convenient for the tech layperson.
Streaming subscriptions. I swear the average nowadays seems to be like 4 per person because ppl don’t know how to torrent anymore
- Nestle products (I am bad at explaining why, and would just again end up researching their shit for 2 hours)
- Alcoholic drinks - kills braincells, and I’d prefer to keep both
- Cigarettes or vapes
- Closed-source software licenses (for personal use)
- Digital content that does not come on physical media
- Hardware with license-unlockable components (e.g. some networking equipment may limit throughput unless you pay more)
Thanks to Technology Connections - Dishwasher/Laundry pods. Soap with pretty colors, and probably more soap than you need per load. I’ve swapped to powder and literally cannot tell a difference at all, and instead of 8 dollars for 10 loads I now am getting an entire box with like, 40 loads for $8.
And if you want something convenient for laundry they have the laundry sheets that don’t release plastic into your water so that’s nice.
But personally if I want a known amount each time for each load I just use a scoop.
Is liquid detergent still a bad deal? I have no qualms against using powder instead, but my family always stuck to using bulk laundry detergent liquid (I forget the unit size of the 100 load bottle exactly), and I thought that was a good deal.
I’d say it’s better, but not great. Environmentally it still comes with a giant plastic jug that needs to be disposed of, and we all know how plastic recycling is. On your wallet, if you think bout it, you’re not just paying for the soap, but the water and the weight/shipping of that water to get to your home from the factories.
Powder is really the same thing, but you have water at home to mix it with, that happens in your washing machine. So, naturally it is going to be cheaper.
Ah that makes sense. I do reuse the jugs tho, so at least those aren’t wasted.
That’s good, reuse > recycle. We had nothing to do with them so were just recycling these giant jugs all the time. Now we have a big container we pour the detergent into and just scoop it out as we go. Containers are cardboard for the powder
I looked into it after watching the video and here dishwasher powder is just a bad deal. More expensive than the tabs. Maybe you break even if you end up using less per wash but no bargain. Tabs are also only 6 cents each so maybe not the best place to look for savings.
I don’t know where you get yours, but I get 24 loads in a box of powder for $6. https://www.kroger.com/p/kroger-dishwasher-detergent-powder-lemon-scent/0001111080564
Fully automated coffee machines. I love coffee but these things suck, coffee tastes weak and they often break. They even mold inside.
The pour over press is the best coffee flavor I’ve ever had. And so inconvenient.
The best pourover kits in existence cost like $25 USD max too. There’s no reason to not learn how to do it right.
I have one that just sits on top of my coffee cup.
You will still need a good grinder for your beans and those things are expensive. Assuming you don’t want plastic bits in your grind.
Yeah. I have a somewhat cheap one at around $300, but if you don’t wanna buy, try looking for local roasteries. They usually offer preground options. Even some coffee shops will grind it for you if you ask nicely. Their grinders are usually much fancier than whatever any enthusiast will buy anyway.
I have that option, but… supposedly… preground coffee is just not the same.
Use it within a week or so, and it’s very close. Hell, I’d say even two weeks is fine; but it may depend on your method of brewing, and sensitivity of palate. You can even freeze part of the grounds to keep them fresh for longer. James Hoffmann did a nice video about it.
If you really want to grind yourself, you can get get really nice hand grinders for around $150 from 1Zpresso. If you’re on a tighter budget, Timemore C3 is a good cheaper optiosn, that’s good enough for anything that’s not espresso, or turkish coffee.
Nice. Might try the freezing part. I’ve just been using a moka pot, nothing fancy.
I’ve edited my comment with some more recommendations. Mokapots are very forgiving, so you’ll be fine with preground coffee. If you get a decent hand grinder, I’ll bet money that you can’t tell the difference between that and any fancy grinder, Mokapots are just that forgiving.
True. I have a decent hand-one for $50, but they can get pretty expensive.
Making coffee like a barista is infinitely more satisfying. A combined coffee machine: grinder and pressured hot water is bound to be cheaper than a fully automated one. You can push the grains down yourself, and make the coffee as strong or weak as you like.
I don’t know if I could do a new car.
I feel this. My car has a super straightforward drivetrain (2003 Miata) and pretty simple electronics that I can follow and understand.
Looking under the hood of modern cars, half the time it’s so enclosed, you just see plastic and once you get past that, it’s an intertwined rats nest of complicated components.
On top of that, modern interiors are just loaded with features I don’t need. Give me driving, climate and radio controls. I don’t need anything more.
Don’t even get me started on all the assist features. I’m driving. I’ll handle the wheel, thanks.
5 speed manual transmission, roll up windows, knobs for climate and radio, the key goes in the ignition. I need to keep this car running forever because i despise most new features ìn modern cars. Soon enough the fucking steering wheel is going to be touch screen.
Hook up an Xbox/PlayStation controller using Bluetooth XD
VR head set, a ton of cameras, and animated third person view. Unlock new skins the more miles you put on the car.
Season passes for games.
A brand new car.
Buy used, let someone else take the depreciation hit.
Disposable electronics.
Streaming services subscription.
Cucumber, because fuck cucumber.
With the caveat that if it’s small and you pickle it, I’m down.
Besides that, and I can’t express this more clearly, FUCK CUCUMBER. Infects everything it touches, permeates the air, tastes like old water, smells like… Foetid moss or watery algae.
I gather the hatred some people like me carry for pukecumber has a genetic root.
I’m with you. I’ve tried it a bunch of times since so many people seem to like cucumbers, cucumber water, cucumber in sushi, cucumber gin, and whatever else. I don’t like pickles either. I just cannot cuke.
if it’s small and you pickle it, I’m down.
Sorry but you are a big fan of cucumber.
As someone who loves both pickles and cucumbers, I couldn’t disagree more.
If I’m craving one and someone hands me the other, I’ll be upset.
This guy does not cucumber
Expensive phones
