I second going to a local running store to get fit properly. Most good shoe brands come in wide width. I use Ascis in wide width and they are very comfortable. Each pair will last about a year. I'd also recommend in investing in good socks.

Best time to buy (used) is when college kids are done for the year in May. If you can drive around on or near a college campus you may be able to score in for free.

I was in the same situation about 10 years ago. I went with Wedgwood Nantucket Basket dinnerware. This was before Fisksrs bought them and you could get 40 percent off at outlet stores. I had small kids at the time and I have had to replace 5 or 6 bowls over the years and maybe 2 plates. But I still love the timeless simplicity.

https://www.wedgwood.com/en-us/dinnerware/dinnerware/all-dinnerware/nantucket-basket-16-piece-set-40021652?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9CgBhDjARIsAD15h0B7sds6M2QdK0GJWgAvxbhbFKca3uPpN0oIFuuiusouXPgWMZYD-uAaAl-2EALw_wcB

Search this sub. Bern discussed many times.

You could use a quilt.

I think it depends on your commute. Do you walk to a train or bus station or drive? When I commuter by train I went through shoes fast.

One university system in a tiny state moving to an online library is not the whole world getting rid of library buildings. Take a deep breath.

It worked for everyone during covid because we were not given a choice. It also works for the tens of thousands who earn degrees online every year. Just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad.

I learned a bunch of different ways where you can have the book read aloud. With an app or in the browser. This helped keep my reading on track, especially the unnecessarily wordy chapters. I learned how to take notes from ebooks too. I learned new skills when presented with a new situation.

I have teen kids. They don't have textbooks at school. Starting in 4th grade (my youngest) the public schools started to buy textbook material online. A couple years they didn't have any source material for math. So for students entering college right out of HS electronic source material is nothing new.

If Vermont is interested is equity they might use free text books. Those are 100% digital too.

All the research databases are online and have been for decades.

There will still need to be librarians. To develop the collection, to train faculty & students on how best to access the material & to answer questions. You can work from home now. That doesn't sound so bad.

I got my MILS all online (mostly during covid). I got everything I needed from the school library virtually. As long as there are lobby areas and a student center where students can meet to work together the students will be fine. If enrollment goes down & students cite the lack of a library for choosing another school they'll bring it back.

I do think that the school will need to invest in really good wifi everywhere in campus so students can access information at all times.

Came here to say the same. We have two. One is 5 years old one is 7 years old. We use them all the time plus take them camping in the summer.

You are not going to get a buy it for life couch for under 10,000 these days. You can get a very nice couch for under $3,000. We are enjoying the Radley from Macy's. They go on sale all of the time. We got ours for almost 50% off.

I have a Benetton one from the late 80's that's all canvas.

Is it orange? My husband had one. I think we gave it away before we moved. His was from the 70's. The buckles were rusty from sitting in his parents damp basement for decades.

Dish towels are not a BIFL item. They will wear out. They will dry better after they've been through the wash a few times. Does not matter if you buy them at the dollar store or Bloomingdales.

Where this group can actually help is if you list specific needs for one specific item and it's better if you are debating between 2 to 3 brands or model #'s.

You've got to do some basic research first. This list is ridiculous.

Nantucket Basket by Wedgewood. Bone China. The pattern was made staring in 1984.

I'll have to ask. She has no kids. That's how she has those funds. But they also lasted 20 years so they paid for themselves. She's also the same size she was 20 years ago. I can't say the same. I think they are Italian and I know she got them online. First time she purchased them she was traveling.

My sister buys some $600 sweaters. She just replaced the ones she bought 20 years ago. They are nothing like you can get at LL Bean.

Keen

Do Adidas Stan Smith sneakers still last a long time?

I have a 18 year old Rowenta that still works great. I don't iron a lot so it has not gotten a ton of use but it's great that it's been reliable for so long.

I grew up with the same one. Not sure what happened to it.

You can get good quality outerwear from LandsEnd or LLBean too. You might not want to go right in and buy a really expensive coat. Figure out what you like/need first. A longer parka or a shoter coat for driving. I have a big parka for sledding with the kids and other outdoor stuff. I prefer a shorter (still covers my rear) warm wool coat that is more comfortable for driving/running errands.

Don't dismiss the $10 plastic(most likely orange) snow shovel near the door at the grocery store. Maybe they'll be $15 this year but they are the best. You don't want a heavy metal shovel that rusts if you leave it outside by the back door. You want something light. The orange ones do not crack. If you chip away at lot of ice or push down hard along the concrete when you shovel the plastic will start to wear down over time. They last for years, decades even.

One of the benefits of the Nantucket pattern is that you can always buy more or replacement pieces. I have kids. If bone China gets dropped it still breaks.