Converting $20 to local currency, I’d probably go with this:
This is so-called “Liubao Tea”, a kissing cousin to pu’er tea. I did a review of my first batch(es) and it has rapidly (literally with one round of brews) reached the top of my circulation in teas.
The depicted tea is one aged from 1991 (the one I reviewed was tea stems from 2003) and is of one of the higher grades. A 100g package will set you back about $15 or so at today’s exchange rate. 100g is about 15-20 servings, and each serving can be brewed multiple times (even my tea stems can be brewed four times without loss of flavour), so it’s quite the bargain.
Save it for a time when you really need something warm, rich, and comforting. It will last forever as long as you store it in a cool, dry, dark space. And personally I think it’s a bargain at 15 bucks.
Ah yes, the most convenient of currencies - dried leaf.
What methods do you use to dry the tea leaves and stems after each brew?
You don’t. You finish your cup, you put the leaves back in, you pour hot water over top.
I see, so it’s only possible if you drink it consecutively. Do you use a strainer or put the leaves in the cup?
Yes. At work, for example, I make a cup in the morning about 10AM and then keep refilling and drinking until about an hour before quitting time.
Where do you get it?
I get it straight from a collective representing the farmers in Liubao. There are some Internet vendors who sell it, though, so you don’t have to move to China. I can’t vouch for any of them though since, well, I don’t use their services.
Oestrogen (joking but also serious)
On a more serious note, a raspberry pi to run pihole and gobble up all the ads for all devices on my home network
Gin.
That really depends on the gin.
Park Alpine Dry Gin
Fluffy stuffed animal. If I didn’t have a couple stuffed kitties to hug I probably would have killed myself already. Nice to have something to pretend loves you
I know few pleasures greater than snuggling up to a pile of plushies in a cold winter night.
Though they do NOT help in getting up at morning in the slightest.
As someone who has no less than two dozen stuffies on the bed right now I can tell you they do love you because you love them.
Been spending about 16 hours a day here
If you use your phone a lot (or if your battery is old and you haven’t replaced it), a power bank is very useful.
A reputable powerbank (such as those from Anker) cost just under $20 USD for 10,000 MAH
It’s worth it for other people too, the fun putting a “W” sticker in front of the logo is endlessly entertaining.
Found the brit
#busted
What wanking does to a mf smh
2kg of cookies
Methylphenidate
A key wallet ; Keep your keys organized, stops them from jingling, can put smart cards in it too. Easier to hand off to friends to borrow. I hate jingling keys.
Platinum Preppy fountain pen. Often, it’s less than 10$
No one needs a fountain pen to write, but writing with a fountain pen is a unique experience. Alas, many fountain pens will cost a little fortune and other will cost a large fortune (what about a 40k$ one?). The Preppy is an exception. It’s not the best fountain pen but it’s very decent, it’s even incredibly good considering its price. For slightly more 25-30$, I would also suggest the Lamy Safari.
Beside that, I can’t think of many luxury items under 20. I mean, I can think of a few useful luxury things but they cost more than 20.
Love Platinum, they’re the only fountain pens I can even consider using, as they’re the only ones I found that can handle my low writing volume without drying out between uses.
Love Platinum, they’re the only fountain pens I can even consider using, as they’re the only ones I found that can handle my low writing volume without drying out between uses.
Yep. As long as you cap it (like with any fountain pen for that matter), they won’t dry. In that regard, they’re among the best at any price range not kidding. But the plastic of the cap is a on the brittle side… which may ends up hindering the tightness of the capping as it won’t sit as tight. Not hate here, that’s only a maybe could happen (happened to me ;), they’re great.
The Pilot Varsity fountain pen feels cheap in your hand, but the way it writes is exquisite. This pen is shorter than average, yet holding it by the opposite end and dragging the nib across paper, letting the nearly inexistent weight of the pen apply pressure, you’ll be left with a beautiful and consistent line.
You can usually pick up single Varsity fountain pens at stores such as PoopShelf for less than $3 each, or you can support your local art store by buying them in 3-packs for less than $10. I’ve been using these pens for over a decade and the only pen I’ve ever found that had an equally smooth and delicate writing experience was something I found at Paradise Pen for over $500—back when I could get these fountain pens for less than $2.
I have to warn you about their cheap construction, though: don’t store them in your pants pocket. They’ll find some way to bend, crack, or otherwise dump their entire reservoir in your pants.
Never had the opportunity to buy a Varsity, so I never tried one even though my all time favorite fountain pen is one from Pilot (not in the same price range, though ;)
A beard trimmer. Shaving sucks and irritates my skin, plus I look like a baby without facial hair. But that’s only one benefit.
I have been using a beard trimmer to cut my own hair for the last 10 years which has saved me probably $2000 worth of haircuts (estimating a $25 haircut + tip every 2 months). Not to mention saving about 1 hour waiting at the barber every time. I only messed up once and had to do a buzz cut.
So you just buzz cut your entire hair essentially? I did that once and looked like a serial rapist
So you just buzz cut your entire hair essentially? I did that once and looked like a serial rapist
Buzz cut was only once because I messed up. Usually I do a trim, short on the sides and back and longer on top. It’s easier than it sounds - I just use a smaller mirror along with the bathroom mirror to see the back.
It only takes a few minutes of YouTube videos before you can do a passable men’s haircut.
I cut my own hair during the pandemic and never went back to paying for it.
Only of you do it wrong, or you want to look like a serial rapist.
If you have a simple cut/style all it takes is a little practice to DIY.
I’m sure it’s preferable to looking like a baby with facial hair
Agreed with almost every single part of your post. I have done the same thing for last few years. BUT I’m growing my hair out now that I’m retired and I am gonna be a hippie. Still use the beard trimmer daily tho!
Strap wrenches as jar openers, got a two-pack years ago (large and small) for less than $20 and end up using one every couple of weeks
I use a small sheet of that no-slip shelf liner stuff for jars.
Not luxury, but I keep a small AAA flashlight with me nearly all the time.
Easier to handle and faster to use than a phone light. Also doesn’t use phone battery. I clip it on my hat if I need both hands like taking out the trash.
I have an Olight i3T but I would try out the i3T 2. More lumens and better battery efficency.
How do you clip it to our hat ? Like this ?
The Olight i3T and the i3T 2 have a bidirectional clip.
Oh, I see
I’m surprised I did not think of mentioning it next to the Preppy fountain pen I already mentioned but a reading lamp! This one is 15-18€ clip-on. It’s USB-C (I would prefer standard batteries if there was a model so it doesn’t got to waste one the battery is dead). It’s lightweight and the brightness (as well as its temp) can be adjusted.
Worth every single cent, imho. I find it so useful that I have purchased two, just in case I need to recharge one.
Wool socks if it’s winter and/or you live in a cold climate.
