5 of my best (big) buys that made my life better
Here are 5 items that I spent a lot of money on that were absolutely worth it. In their own right, they made my life so much better (faster, comfier, healthier), whether they are more effective (for sleeping, sitting or storing) or more efficient at doing the job they are supposed to be doing. They work for me instead of me working despite them. They are often cheaper on the long run because they actually do the job they are supposed to do so they don’t need to be replaced for a very long time.
Florence
2/3/20242 min read
#1 Boiler tap for my kitchen sink
Sounds like luxury but it was a cheap fix for the size of my problem! My issue was that I didn’t have hot water at the kitchen sink (in 2023!). Imagine trying to clean greasy hands or dishes with cold water! The reason is an old British plumbing system that involves a gas boiler, a hot tank, a cold tank, and miles and miles of pipes. Re-plumbing the house would cost x10-20 the cost of the combo-boiler tap! As a bonus, we get boiling water instantaneously for tea throughout the day.
#2 Memory foam mattress
In the best case, because I am small and relatively light, when my partner moves… I feel it. In the worst case, I roll towards the middle of the bed because of the dip in the mattress that my partner creates with his weight! I bought a high quality memory form mattress 15 years ago, and I will never go back!! My health is precious and it’s really not that expensive considering the comfort over 15+ years!
#3 Gaming chair for my office
I work from home 2 days a week and I blog at the weekend so I sit for long lengths of time! Most office chairs (including the ones at work) end up numbing or hurting my backside after a while. There’s nothing I can do for my chair at work, but at home I invested in a high quality chair for the gaming world because they are cheaper for the same quality (design, comfort, ergonomics). It’s scary to say that I sit on a chair for as many hours (or more) as I lie in bed! It’s worth the investment!
#4 Induction hob
I had 2 criteria for my hob: easy to clean and able to grill. My old gas hob was the opposite of that. We are comparing seconds to effortlessly wipe the induction hob with soapy water versus taking parts off and back on, soaking and scrubbing! Every day, every meal. How much time is saved in a lifetime by using induction? I invested in a hob so powerful that it is actually able to boil water quicker than a kettle! Such a time saver! Plus I got rid of my kettle: less cleaning and more space on the counter!
#5 Quality shelving system
I needed a shelving system to store my books in an integrated storage space with a non-standard depth. It had to be solid and durable to hold my books for years to come despite the substantial weight, but I also wanted a system that could be adapted to new requirements over time, with the possibility to buy different accessories to change the function of the system (bookshelf to wardrobe for instance). I am hoping it will last a lifetime and that myself or my kids could move it and reuse it elsewhere in the future.