Wow! I have not tried those, but I shall at the next replacement!!!

Those old ones are better! Many of the new ones boil even on the low setting. You want around 185 degrees, just shy of a boil. My 1972 model still works, has removable crock, cost me $22, a princely sum back then.

A key to longer-lasting wipers is not to turn on the wipers when they or the windshield have ice or frost on them. It will rip off the fine fragile edge that is there to produce a clear, streak-free windshield. Turn the wipers on just ONE TIME when they and windshield are frozen, and they are ruined. If your car is in a garage or under a shed, wipers last longer. Sunlight deteriorates them. In sandy, dusty, gritty areas like deserts, the abrasive stuff wears them out fast. 60 years driving experience.

A consideration: I gave my mom very very nice thick towels one year, as she was still using some of the same towels we had when I was a kid. They were pretty thin. Later on, I noticed that she was not using the new towels, and had put them away in the highest shelf of the linen closet. I asked her why, and she said that they were pretty, but took forever to dry when she washed them, which was costing money on the electric bill. She also said the thin ones got her just as dry. So I no longer keep the super-luxe towels, either. Medium to light weight ones are more economical and less expensive. So BIFL is not necessarily an unmitigated good.

We had been through 3 dishwashers in 30 years, all mid-price GE to match other appliances. Last time we got a high-end Kitchen Aid from a local appliance dealer who will not sell anything that does not have parts available. This new one is SO SO SO SO quiet! Cleans well too. Service from the dealer was our selling point after talking to local insurance and real estate folks. We got Speed Queen washer dryer from the same folks after 2nd set of HE ones died. Paid $2300 and expect never to buy more. We were so sick of redistributing wet laundry during spin cycles at least 3 times per load. And we did not overload, either!

Same! Except I started earlier when I realized my barber was just putting a #4 blade guard on and shaving straight across the back of my neck. I can do that myself, and have for 25 years now. I see these in thrift shops with accessories and sometimes a case for $5 to $10. What a deal!!!!