Every so often, people talk about how it's so worthwhile to invest in higher quality rather than just buying something, that it pays for itself in the long run. While I've often found this to be a poor excuse attempting to justify expensive purchase decisions, there are exceptions.
2017 was a most fortunate year where I found not one, but a handful of these exceptions. These unicorn purchases transformed certain aspects of my day-to-day experience and have radically improved my enjoyment of life. I am happy to share this and endorse these products :)
So, without further ado, here we go!
1. Dyson V8 Animal
Level Up. Game Changed. Forever.
Vacuuming has transformed from a chore into a beloved hobby. I'm chomping at the bit for and relishing every opportunity I get to vacuum. I've even volunteered (several times) to vacuum for others!
The Dyson V8 is so powerful, so portable, and so unbelievably satisfying to wield. I literally cannot stop myself from telling people about and recommending the Dyson V8 vacuum. It's been very cool to find that I have many friends around the world who've also had their lives dramatically improved since making the switch.
My wife briefly documented some of my Dyson moments via social media. I am happy to now have a client roster that ranges from neighbours in my building to friends' homes across Canada, the USA, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines to vacuum. Very exciting!!
What are you waiting for!?
2. Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
Commuters rejoice!
I'd been wanting a wireless audio listening solution for a while since I'm a public transit user, a frequent flyer, and enjoy working in crowded environments. A couple persistent issues I'd been contending with were the hassle of wires and sound spill from the environment (people talking, plane engines, etc.).
The obvious choice was the Bose QuietComfort 35, but I simply was not ready to drop $500 on headphones. So I'd spent hours upon hours throughout the year researching my options. I had it narrowed down to two options, then was lucky enough to find a pinch-me-it's-so-good deal on these during boxing week.
My experience? Wireless. Even more amazing than I'd anticipated. Mic Clarity. Often people hear me more clearly through this headset than on my handheld. Sound Quality. Just wow - I'd heard of the infamous "soundstage" before but had never experienced it until these headphones. Awesome.
3. 15L Stock Pot
Hello Batch Cooking Bliss!
This wasn't exactly a purchase and I have no idea what the exact product is, but it's radically improved my life. I love cooking in large batches making delightful stewy foods. What has always challenged me is fitting my cooking into the pots that came standard with starter pot/pan sets. Now, I can combine everything into a massive pot and it still has room to breathe. Hallelujah!
--
There were plenty of fun/neat things in 2017 that offered incremental improvements to life, but these were the game changers.