Yup. For the longest time, I carried only an AMEX and my ATM card, which was VISA branded and functioned as an alternative where AMEX wasn't accepted. I've now (based on a LH article) started carrying an AMEX Blue card which is pretty much exclusively for groceries, and gets paid off every month.

Vote: Osgood Murphy gusseted card wallet, $38.

It isn't the most comfortable grip (at least not my Fein) and the vibration sucks balls after a couple of minutes of work, but sometimes it is the only way to do something.

Your comment leaves me puzzled. There are many things these tools can do that can't be replicated by other tools, which is the reason to own one. Zero kerf jamb cuts, for one. Or cutting out tiles. Or sanding in tight corners. And it isn't like I can't justify the tools I need—I'll bet dollars to donuts I own…

I've owned one of the Fein multitools from back in the days when they were the only game in town. Heck, I remember the infomercial ads with Dean Johnson/Robin Hartl from Hometime, and thinking it was the most expensive infomercial product ever. Anyway, I find that the multitool isn't a tool I pick up a lot, but when…

This is where I sort of disagree with the article—shopvacs move only a small volume of air, and hence are not good at getting rid of the fine particles that are damaging to your lungs. While a small shop may generate less small particles with less equipment, the space is also usually smaller, which means less volume…

A backpack may seem easier if you are carry-on only, but I've found rolling carry-ons are still easier to manage overall.

Those are separators for shopvacs, and a shopvac does not move enough of a volume of air for it to be considered a real dust collector. Look at something like: http://www.clearvuecyclones.com/cv1800-series/… or https://www.grizzly.com/products/1-1-2… or http://jdstools.com/2hpcyclone2100… or http://www.oneida-air.com…

Anything fine is not good for your lungs, and there is evidence that repeated exposure to certain woods (rosewood is one I remember) can lead to allergies and other serious health issues. If you want a woodshop, you should buy a good dust collector at the same time you buy your first stationary machine.

It is like any other investment—you need to pick wisely, educate yourself, understand the investment risk profile... But that is a far cry from the universal "[w]e all know that a house is a poor investment choice" you started with. Here's an alternative view: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-0…

That is mentioned in the article. Doesn't make it the right thing to do.

You can say the same thing about stocks; "millions . . . lost money when the market crashed." Look over the long term and I'm guessing that a lot more people have made money with real estate than people who lost money. Besides, it is an investment you live in—factor in not paying rent, the tax benefits, and the fact…

I've made a substantial amount of money on all five houses I've owned. So I wouldn't concede it is a "poor investment choice." And I don't think it is nuts to think about return. Remember, these numbers are averages. There are plenty of cases where improvements can make you money on a sale—other wise flippers…

Moving plumbing—sink or toilet—adds to the labor and cost of a project and may be things to avoid if you can, but they are hardly in the category of removing a load-bearing wall without a structural assessment. Similarly, rearranging a kitchen layout is within the range of a competent DIYer, even if it involves some…

As you have correctly surmised, I'm referring to "sous vide" as a technique involving the use of an immersion circulator in a water bath, not as the literal translation from French of "under vacuum." I just put the eggs directly in the circulator bath, although I've seen other people put them in mesh bags. I keep…

In case anyone is wondering about the hash browns: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/1…

You forgot sous vide! Seriously, I could justify sous vide solely on the basis of boiled eggs. Pinpoint temperature control allows you to really zero in on exactly what kind of egg floats your boat:

Why: I'll throw in a vote for the Pasquini Moka. I own two of these (better half likes decaf regularly)—and I think the older one is about 15 years old. They get used multiple times a day, every day. They still function like new. Once you take the time to get the grind dialed in, they consistently produce great…

This is pretty well ingrained in me too, even though I used to see it as a kid. I remember being shocked out of my skull going down to Mexico and seeing pickup trucks going by with a dozen small kids in the bed...

If you are using really open pored wood, it might be an issue. I haven't really had a problem when working quickly and wiping multiple times, each time using a clean, fresh bit of cloth/sponge. You can always apply a sanding sealer to the whole thing.