5 Items I Bought in the First Half of 2024 That Impressed Me

Half of this year is almost over, isn't it?

The last six months have flown by.

Next month is the Prime Day sale that Prime members have been eagerly waiting for.

The two most affordable days of the year.

Before that, I'd like to introduce the items I bought in the first half of this year that particularly impressed me.

5th Place

Frugra is delicious for breakfast in spring, summer, and autumn.

I've tried various granolas at my local drugstore, but Frugra is the most delicious and I never get tired of it.

First thing in the morning, when my stomach is still sleepy, Frugra with milk is easy to eat, almost like porridge.

By the time I finish a mugful, my stomach has woken up, and if I still want a little more, I add toast or a salad.

It's also great that a single mugful is filling enough that I don't overeat.

Amazon sometimes offers coupons, and I was able to buy it with a 40% off coupon a little while ago.

If you add it to your wishlist and check it frequently, you can buy it at a sale price.

As a rule of thumb for purchasing, I consider it a good deal if the price is lower than the gram weight (for example, 950 yen or less for 950g).

4th Place

It makes me shudder just to explain the content, but it is quite interesting.

I recommend starting with the drama version, which you can watch for free on Amazon Prime.

Produced by HBO in the US, it features a super-luxurious cast that is on par with or better than Japanese films, and the scenario is reliably interesting.

Yet for some reason, it is not very well known.

If you like the drama version, you should definitely check out the original work as well.

The drama version is made strictly as fiction, but...

The original work is non-fiction.

The Japanese version is only available as a Kindle edition, bypassing traditional publishers.

According to the introduction of the drama version, Japanese publishers were reluctant to handle this work...

Especially from the middle onwards, it is written from the perspective of a reporter regarding the behind-the-scenes of those incidents in the 1990s and 2000s.

Real names are thrown around left and right.

I think those who know the 90s will be constantly surprised.

The ending also leaves a bitter aftertaste and is full of noir vibes.

3rd Place

A packable windbreaker.

It is in the lightest class of any windbreaker I have ever owned.

It is just incredibly light.

And although it is thin, it is not flimsy and has more than enough durability.

With sudden rain and wind in spring, summer, and autumn, as well as varying air conditioning levels, you want to be able to adjust your temperature frequently.

This kind of jacket that is convenient to carry around is very useful.

My previous favorite for similar use was a thin knit cardigan.

Thin knit materials tend to fray and wear out quickly.

This one is made of synthetic fiber and seems to have good durability.

2nd Place

When I'm at home, I keep it open at hand.

When I want to look something up, I can search in two actions: the search button and entering the word.

Compared to a PC or smartphone, it is the fastest way to look up a word.

Plus, there are no unnecessary ads (this is important!).

The purity of the information is also high (important!!).

It is the best.

And this is a 10-year-old high school model.

Used stock is overflowing, so it is incredibly cheap.

On Amazon, items in "very good" condition are being sold for just over 2,000 yen.

You can aim for the lowest price on flea market apps, but buying on Amazon gives you peace of mind regarding the warranty.

I've gotten into electronic dictionaries this year and have six of them on hand.

I bought too much.

Among them, this model is the most balanced and recommended one, as it is affordable, has a beautiful display and clear text, and is practical with fast search speeds.

No. 1

This is what impressed me the most this term.

Until now, I used dental floss after waking up and after meals.

After buying a water flosser, this has become my main tool at home.

What is truly impressive is the refreshing feeling in my mouth after use.

This pleasure is different from brushing or flossing.

I wondered if it could replace floss, but they all have their pros and cons.

A water flosser is strictly for jet-cleaning between teeth and gums.

Dental floss is the best for removing fibrous food particles stuck between teeth.

According to my history, I bought a Panasonic stationary water flosser in 2017.

It took up space and the cord was in the way, making it inconvenient, so I stopped using it after a while.

This cordless model's water tank at the bottom of the unit holds just enough for one use.

Also, you can choose from five jet modes, and the manual mode is particularly excellent.

Since you can turn the water on and off with a button, it is easy to control the water pressure.

This is important for a water flosser; if you can't control the on/off at your fingertips, you'll end up choking on the constant stream of water (those who have experienced it will understand).

I like this cordless model because everything about it is just right.

By the way, this dental floss is the cheapest I have seen.

Plus, the thread is thin and waxed, making it the least likely to snag when passing between teeth.

Well then, the Prime Sale starts on 7/16!
If you are a Prime member, you must participate.

All Prime members should participate in this.
A campaign where if you purchase a gift card for 5,000 yen or more, you will receive 500 points within 35 days of purchase.

A stamp rally where 1 in 10 people can win up to 50,000 points.

1. Prime Day Point-Up Entry

2. Buy 2,000 yen worth of Prime-eligible products (Amazon Gift Card [Delivery Type] is fine!)

3. Listen to Amazon Music Prime (Free)

4. Watch Prime Video (Free)

5. Read Prime Reading (Free)

I did a free trial of Kindle Unlimited (e-books) within the last year, but as expected of the Prime Sale, this time it was eligible for 3 months free. Even if you have done a free trial before, please check it out.