Home and kitchen
Three pans beat a 12-piece cookware set
Why buying three good pans one at a time usually beats a big cookware set, with a simple comparison of stainless, nonstick and cast iron.
Manon Lambert3 min read
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Good stuff that fits your budget
Spend or save
Cheap things not worth buying, even when they are $10
Cheap things not worth buying: single-use gadgets, trend items and safety gear with no markings. Skip these even at $10, and here is why.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Home and kitchen
Cheap blender: what to check before you buy one
Buying a cheap blender? Check the motor, jar material and blade design first. Here is what a budget blender can and cannot do, and when to skip it.
Manon Lambert3 min read
Under $25
How to buy a safe phone charger and cable for under $25
What to check on a phone charger and cable before you buy, so you get fast, safe charging for under $25 without paying extra for a brand name.
Manon Lambert3 min read
Beauty and skin
Drugstore vs expensive skincare: where the extra money goes
Drugstore vs expensive skincare: a cheaper cleanser, moisturizer or sunscreen often does the same job. Here is where a higher price is worth paying.
Manon Lambert4 min read
Beauty and skin
Cheap sunscreen that works: what to look for on the label
How to read a sunscreen label, what SPF 30 and broad spectrum mean, and why a cheaper bottle can protect as well as a pricey one. General advice only.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Under $50
Bed sheets under $50: how to pick a set that lasts
How to buy bed sheets under $50 that feel good and last: what thread count really means, which fabrics suit you, and the signs of a bad set.
Hamza Idrissi5 min read
Under $100
A work backpack under $100: six checks before you buy
How to pick a work or school backpack under $100, from laptop fit to zips and straps, with a cost-per-day check so you know it is worth the price.
Manon Lambert3 min read
Spend or save
When secondhand beats new, and when it does not
What to buy used to save real money, what to always buy new, and a short check to run before you pay a seller. Solid, simple items are the best used buys.
Manon Lambert3 min read