Big purchases…
Since we have a sizable tax return coming our way (thank you, TurboTax– I actually started filing with H&R Block online, ran into a problem that couldn’t be fixed, and decided to re-do with TurboTax, and ended up with almost $600 more back than H&R Block– wow this should be its own sentence, instead of stuck here in parentheses), I am thinking about making two large purchases. I am soliciting advice from my readers (how many of you are there??).
1. Our water supply is pretty icky. We use either a Pur or Brita filter on the kitchen sink, but both of them get clogged pretty quickly. There is an off-white substance coming out of the water– I can’t believe that’s good to drink. So I am considering getting some sort of under the sink water filtration system. I don’t know where to start looking, and have no idea how much something like this would cost. Any ideas?
2. A new digital camera. I’ve been suffering with my hand-me-down, old, slow, sometimes-won’t-take-a-picture-even-if-I-push-the-button-a-dozen-times camera, and I really want a new one. I’m not looking to spend a lot, so no fancy Digital SLR for me. I want something small and good. Joe always liked his Canon PowerShot Digital Elph, but the screen died on the last one, and that discouraged him. He got a Panasonic Lumix, but is taking a long time getting used to it. I’d be willing to forgive Canon for the screen problem. What do you think? What kind of camera do you have? How much was it? Do you like it?
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In other news, I think my hearing is getting worse. The info I’ve seen about broken eardrums makes it sound like it isn’t a big deal. However, the pain in the first 48 hours was worse than labor. And the lingering not being able to hear (due to constant ringing and cloudy feeling) is really discouraging. It looks like it could take 2 months to heal. Fingers crossed that it is much less than that.
Tags: digital camera, drinking water, ruptured tympanic membrane
February 13th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Laura, I REALLY hope your ear is better soon. I could not possibly be more sympathetic to your plight. Hang in there.
The water system sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately I don’t have any brands etc. to recommend, but I can offer our experience par example. The former owner installed a filtration system which is actually downstairs in the basement, hooked to the kitchen sink pipes. It has two mechanisms – a plain white filter and a second black charcoal filter. It has been seemingly helpful over the course of our 7 + years here, however you do have to remember to change it frequently. Which is pretty disgusting when you see what is being filtered OUT and I knwo we only have the filter on the one sink. Anyway, Lately I have noticed a lot of aeration in our water. We have had plumbing work done in the past week, so I have been attributing it to this. But it manifests itself in the nastiest looking way – the water comes out looking like (no joke) soy milk – white and cloudy. If you let it sit for a minute, it clears, but it is really off putting. I’ve noticed it’s been getting better over the past day or so, and I hope it goes away altogether. LONG STORY SHORT, let me know what you guys use and how you like it. I may want to upgrade.
As for a camera, my old one I absolutely adored. It was an ancient Canon Power Shot, but the thing was nearly indestructible and took great photos. I bet the new ones are way way better – and they are not expensive. Good luck!!
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February 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hi Laura!
We bought the GE SmartWater Reverse Osmosis Filtration System when we renovated our kitchen, and we think it’s one of the best things purchased thus far. We got it at the Home Depot and ran us about $150-$200. Unfortunately you have to replace the filters about every six months which will run you about $60. Also, the water reserve tank that goes under the sink is HUGE. Kiss a lot of your storage space good-bye. However, it has its own spout that goes in next to the faucet which is soooo convenient and the water is great. We had a wierd taste to our water before we bought this thing, now our water tastes like Dasani. Anyway, I reccomend it, feel free to stop by and check it out anytime if you want! Happy shopping with your tax return!!!
Sarah
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February 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I have my eye on the Canon Power Shot A570, which I think is the successor to the A540 and A550. My friends have the older models and like them for their ease of handling and clear pictures. Runs about $150-$175.
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February 14th, 2008 at 7:16 am
I am no sure what my camera is, it’s an awesome one though but was pretty expensive. As for water…we just figure that that all that extra calcium from the hard water is good for us? Ha ha, it might not be considering how fast it clogs the humidifier — I can just imagine what it’s doing to the water heater pipes. Sheesh.
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