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Good stuff that fits your budget
Cheap vs expensive kitchen knife: a mid-price chef's knife and a honing steel beat a pricey set for most home cooks. Here is where the money matters.
Manon Lambert4 min read
Shoes for standing all day under $100: how to check cushioning, fit and the sole, plus when an insole is cheaper than new shoes. General advice only.
Manon Lambert6 min read
What a pair of everyday shoes under $50 can do well, how to check fit and the sole, and which signs say the pair will fall apart within a month.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
Power strip vs surge protector: a plain strip only adds outlets, a surge protector also guards against power spikes. Here is when the extra cost is worth it.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
How to choose a carry-on under $100, soft shell versus hard shell, the airline size rules to check, and the warning signs of weak luggage.
Hamza Idrissi3 min read
A short list of kitchen tools worth owning, from a chef's knife to an instant-read thermometer, plus the single-job gadgets that clutter your drawer.
Manon Lambert3 min read
Cheap cookware for a first apartment: the short list of pans, pots and tools to buy first, what to buy used, and what to wait on until you need it.
Manon Lambert6 min read
Seven red flags that a cheap product will fall apart, and a few signs that the low price is fine, so you can tell a smart cheap buy from a trap.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
Three products cover most needs: a cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. Here is what to buy first for a skincare routine under $50, and what to skip.
Hamza Idrissi2 min read
