What’s your top BIFL purchase, that might not in itself has been all to frugal, but long term, will be?
After having 5-6 different office chairs over the last 10 years, none of which I liked. I went and bought a Herman Miller Aeron chair. It’s ridiculously expensive, but I’m so pleased with it and hope to keep it for well over 15-20 years. If that actually succeed, I will have spent less money one chairs than if I hadn’t bought it.
What similar items (cheap or expensive) do you feel the same about?
Just wanted to let you guys know that Bifl sounds a lot like “Bifle”, a unique french word. It’s a quite precise verb that means “slapping someone with a dick”. It merges the words bite (= dick) and gifle (= slap).
That’s all folks
I was just about to intervene
Can I BIFL a bifle? Asking for a friend.
It’s a subscription service Sir.
BIFL isn’t usually really ‘for life’ since we buy practical stuff as adults.
But… when I was born in the '60’s someone gave me a simple, elegant little steel cup and plate, with cartoon bears engraved in simple lines for decoration.
The plate is still in the cupboard with the general plate population, and the little cup is perfectly sized for a double shot, so it lives on top of the espresso machine and gets used daily, adding special value each time because it’s a joy to use, and old like me.
I bought a vanquest backpack about 5 years ago. Bullet proof. Mine is gen-2. The shoulder straps do not tear - ever. They’re expensive, but the craftsmanship earns the price. Their other products are good, too. This is just one type of backpack they make.
How’s that chair? Big guy here, and most chairs are absolute shit, barely coming up high enough to adequately rest my head.
Definitely one of the advantages of mine, over the crap I’ve tried before.
How big? I’m 6’3”, 300+ lbs, and it is so nice. Arron comes in three sizes and I do have the largest, but it fits, with room to spare.
I usually have the worst problems with posture, because office chairs do not adjust high enough to match my legs, but this does! I don’t have a headrest and don’t know if they make them, but I don’t even notice that since I can now sit upright!
That’s the one negative, there is no headrest. Not even to purchase. Though there is a company that specializes on headrests for their chairs, that are made with great quality and looks as official as it gets. I’m about to purchase one of those, which sucks considering what I paid.
I’m fairly tall 187 cm / 6”2. And have zero struggles with the size of the chair. I’m on the medium size, so there’s a larger one available. Depending on your size, I’d imagine that one would work for you.
It’s 100% the best chair I’ve ever sat in. Took 3 weeks to break in, had some crazy pain in my lower back. Realized afterwards that what had happen, was my posture was being corrected. I sit with much better posture on regular chairs now as well, it basically forced me into learning how to sit properly. I never ache, never feel like I have to stand or move. It’s just awesome.
I’m definitely “that guy”, but chairs are hard to BIFL, as your body’s needs changes. Kinda like asking for a BIFL mattress. You can do it, but not recommended.
My aeron is 20 years old and still good. The mesh is a little looseer, giving a bit less support, but I’m still happy. You made a good choice.
I bought a used aeron a few years ago after using them at work forever. A few weeks after I bought it i turned it over to replace the pad on the front of the chair and saw that it was manufactured over 22 years ago. I would have never thought it was older than a couple years by how good of shape it was in but these things are built like a tank.
A good quality kitchen knife. It’s a bit of personal preference but I like Global for their price/value.
Whatever kind of pan you use the most, good quality. Le crueset or all-clad.
Actually just purchased a set of global knives. I’m extremely happy so far!
Maybe not literally for life, but having family that’s into the whole thrift store thing is pretty decent. Got a big honkin’ cast iron skillet and a stainless pan for super cheap, easy to fix and they’re likely to last a long damn time at least.
The last couple years, I’ve mostly switched over. After yet another over-priced set of non-stick “good” cookware started peeling, and now that I’m the one in control of the kitchen ….
- set of Kirkland (Costco) stainless 5-ply, for less than a similar set of non-stick, it should last forever
- set of cast iron skillets. Lodge is a great bargain, should last forever, and is frequently on sale.
- a couple ceramic knives. Cheap ones are much sharper than steel, stay sharp longer, and can go through the dishwasher without fear. While good steel knives might literally last forever if you give them the attention they deserve, this is last much longer than standard, without any attention
Love my aeron chair, luckily I was able to steal it from my old job during a buyout.
That’s great! I was able to get one overstock for half price. It’s still expensive, but it’s made working from home so much nicer, should last a long time, and I feel like a scored a great deal. Not as great as your deal, but still a thing
