All my IKEA dishes could turn to dust today and I'd feel I more than got my money out of them and would buy again. Another benefit, their styles are pretty consistent. You could break one years from now and still likely find replacements in the exact color and style.

Honestly, IKEA. Especially for the price and that you can get them in tons of colors. A certain amount of breakage happens with dishes just from human errors, but I haven't lost an IKEA plate in a way that wasn't my fault in over a decade.

Yep, far as I can tell all of the current Bosch washers have that tray. Nice place to lay larger utensils, I use it more than I thought I would. You can also just take it out if you want more room in the second rack below.

Bosch in whatever flavor you like. I have a 300 series, with the physical buttons and classic red text display. Love it, it's incredibly easy to clean compared to others I looked at. Top tray thingy is super useful too. My buddy has a 500 series, more sleek look and little light indicator is kinda neat. Neighbor has the 800 series with the fancy auto door popper. That'd be pretty handy but wasn't worth the extra cost for me. The parts website for them is amazing, you can directly order anything.

No matter what machine you have if you are using detergent pods, I would almost bet money you are not optimally washing your dishes. Watch this video and learn everything about how dishwashers actually work and why you're likely doing it wrong - but the TLDW is to squirt/sprinkle some detergent in the door instead of a pod alone. I started doing this after watching that video and the difference is astounding. I pulled out the manual from my Bosch and they even say to do this.

I've debriefed the missus on tool brands to look for at yard/estate sales. Anything Snapon, MAC, Matco, really anything that looks older and labeled made in USA or Germany is a grab it and review item.

A LOT of vintage MCM furniture goes unlabeled, or has been shabby-chic'd/Pinterested and can be had for pennies and restored/rescued. A lot of authentic MCM furniture is BIFL, especially Danish, Swedish, and many American brands. Plus, the designs are timeless.

FB marketplace is decent, I have better luck selling than buying though. You MUST be fast. I got a Dewalt DWS780 with cart for $250, but I answered within minutes of posting and was across town with cash in minutes. It's a $750+ saw new. There's deals on FB, but it's not for casual viewing if it's something desirable like tools. Furniture is an easier FB buy - a lot is posted due to logistical problems ("I'm moving and need this gone now"). I have a truck and can take stuff all on my own and fast, makes me an easy sell versus the other buyer who has to coordinate shit. When selling, I give the same kind of preference, I just want the thing gone.

eBay is tough - most people know what they're selling and deals can be hard to find given that listings need to be keyword heavy to get views. Harder to "sift through the pile" so to speak, just the nature of the platform.

Thrift stores in my area are picked through before stuff hits the floor. Still worth browsing, but the best items are long gone before I'll ever see them.

Portland Leather. They have a factory seconds page that is still fully warrantied, but had some cosmetic issue. Seconds are significantly cheaper - I have a wallet, passport holder, and got the missus a tote bag from the seconds and legitimately can't find the defect.

You do have to lurk if you want a specific style from the seconds, inventory comes and goes.