What's the best thing you've ever purchased?
What's the best thing you've ever purchased?
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James Drake

Original Poster:

2,670 posts

148 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Doesn't have to be motoring related, just wondered what the single best thing you've ever bought is? It can be cheap or expensive - big or small. I'm thinking more along the lines of things you get the most use out of than investments or things you're proud of.

I've got a few (random) contenders:

1) A Helly Hansen "Lifa" baselayer. I've had this for about 7 years and it is still in as good condition as the day I got it. Never too hot, never too cool and I've worn it for everything from cycling to climbing, hiking, gardening, driving Caterhams and even skydiving! I must have worn this (and washed it) hundreds and hundreds of times. This is my number one contender! (I wore it today and that's what got me thinking)

2) A Sonos. I use it every single day. Its hooked up to a NAS and Deezer and I can't believe we all used to faff about with CDs!

3) A memory foam pillow. It was stupidly expensive but I figured you spend so much of your life with your head on it, why be a cheapskate. Plus I was really hungover and I make terrible knee-jerk purchases when I'm hungover. However, it is absolutely amazing... the only problem now being that I really miss it when I'm away from home!

What about everyone else - what purchases have made your life that bit easier / more comfortable?

JD

Kermit power

29,622 posts

244 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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For me it's my mountain bikes.

I get out on the trails and I forget all about my worries and stressors. They helped me lose 15kgs last year, and are giving me the incentive to lose more moving forward. They've given me a great bonding activity to participate in with my kids. They've helped me make plenty of good friends. They've improved my self confidnce, and they've made me feel more alive at the age of 45 than I have the whole of my adult life!

OK, they've also cost me a fair few quid along the way, but worth every single penny! smile

Monkeylegend

29,544 posts

262 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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My Jack Russell is up there, sadly gone now, followed by my Tom Tom.

Iva Barchetta

44,044 posts

194 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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The internet via firstly my pc and then a smart phone.

I'd be even more boring than I am now without it....typenerd

Clickbait

2,324 posts

212 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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DR Martens For Life 8 hole boots, wear them out (which takes years) and they replace them for a new pair for free, for life.

toastybase

2,305 posts

239 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Dog. Car. In that order.

drab

422 posts

183 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Perspirex roll-on
Shoe trees
Spotify premium

whoami

13,201 posts

271 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Kermit power said:
They helped me lose 15kgs last year, and are giving me the incentive to lose more moving forward.
Good effort.

Well done.

williamp

20,456 posts

304 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Condoms

Hoofy

80,157 posts

313 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Interesting question.

I'd say my 8kg kettlebell. Sure, it's not heavy but with a bit of leverage, it can be a challenge for some things. Plus when you're injured, you can use it for rehab as it's heavy enough to be a challenge but not so heavy as it cause injuries.

My G-shock Riseman. Handy little watch for telling you useful things beyond the time.

Quilted sleeveless liner for an army coat. I wear it under anything for added warmth. (Have actually bought a Uniqlo ultra light down version which is similarly handy but notably warmer.)

kuro

1,638 posts

150 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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My house in December last year.

simoid

19,774 posts

189 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Got noise cancelling headphones for my Christmas, so I didn't purchase them, but they're great. Cracking to zone out wherever you are.

jas xjr

11,309 posts

270 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Iva Barchetta said:
The internet via firstly my pc and then a smart phone.

I'd be even more boring than I am now without it....typenerd
Exactly the same for me. Changed how I live my life

Ikemi

8,610 posts

236 months

Thursday 10th March 2016
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Aside from the predictable car answer ...

My DeLonghi Perfecta bean-to-cup coffee machine, which managed daily use for over 7 years. Unfortunately it died late last year, most likely due to limescale build up, what with being in a hard water area. However it's now been replaced with a DeLonghi Eletta bean-to-cup machine!

Alternatively, my Sennheiser HD590 headphones lasted c.14 years! The cable that runs from the left to the right speaker has failed, so now my mouse cursor is hovering over the 'Add to Basket' button for some HD650s smile

bloomen

10,229 posts

190 months

Friday 11th March 2016
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HD projector and surround sound. It cost considerably less than a fancy TV and has given me thousands of hours of pleasure.

Oldandslow

2,405 posts

237 months

Friday 11th March 2016
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Tmberland fleece jacket. In almost daily use for 10 years. Gave it a wash yesterday and it still looks nearly new.

Joratk

432 posts

141 months

Friday 11th March 2016
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I can't think off the top of my head, maybe a North Face jacket that I've been wearing 4/5 days a week for the last 4 years. Been to all sorts of places and countries with me and still keeps on going. I do often find though that it's the cheaper things I buy that I use/appreciate more.

Robbo 27

4,304 posts

130 months

Friday 11th March 2016
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My Sat Nav, on my second one now and find it indespensible.

Digital camera is a close second, made me money and it works so perfectly.

Panasonic washing machine, wasnt cheap 7 years ago at £550 but has been faultless

Edited by Robbo 27 on Friday 11th March 08:06

Pints

18,451 posts

225 months

Friday 11th March 2016
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Tassimo coffee machine (it was a gift - albeit with my money - which is why it's not a Nespresso).

James Drake

Original Poster:

2,670 posts

148 months

Friday 11th March 2016
quotequote all
kapiteinlangzaam said:
My Siemens inbuilt bean to cup machine, filled with yummy addictive Illy beans.

I finished my 'coffee wall' this month. Took me 6 years, 129 tins of Coffee, or 8480 brews. Lovely (and the machine has performed faultlessly). We have hard water, and as long as you de-calc and clean it when it asks (with only original Siemens stuff) it seems to go happily on forever.



In terms of other electrical items - Panasonic Plasma and LCD Tvs. The plasma in particular is coming up to 8 years old now, and the picture quality is still stunning.
Wow. I thought I was a coffee addict, but you're in an entirely different league! Well done sir!