I bought a piece of 1.5 inch stiff foam to try to fix a sag in a bed. It didn’t work but having that thick piece of solid foam around has been a life saver.
Need something flat to put a laptop on? Throw it on the foam. Going to be doing something that requires you to be on your knees for a while? Get the foam!
It went from stupid purchase to something I’d gladly replace if it broke.
The bread maker we got when my fiancee and I moved in together has been the best purchase ever. Haven’t bought bread except like twice over the last couple years. Store bought bread just sucks now. Add in the feature that lets us throw everything in and have it wait until it will finish right when we get home and I don’t know why people ever buy bread.
Similarly, the stand mixer probably did the question op asked better. Makes making so many things so much faster and easier. Can put a couple lights off banana bread together and in the oven so quick now. Great for when I want to make merengue. And not having to hand kneed dough just makes those special things I make on occasion more a every now and then and not just for big special occasions.
Bread maker I could not stand. It was like Schrodinger’s box - dump stuff in and either it makes bread or doesn’t. About 50/50 chance. It drove me crazy. Gave it to the neighbor.
Still haven’t bought bread in years but I make it by hand (and mixer) and out where I can see it and adjust it. Sourdough starter was my bread revelation. So much more robust than dry yeast, not as fussy, so reliable I use it for all leavened goods.