Consumer Reports had been around for a long time and should be available at any library. There is the NYT Wirecutter and r/BuyItForLife. You can also see what friends and family have night and how it worked out. On YouTube, Rose Anvil cuts apart footwear of all price points to see what is worth it, and Project Farm tests tools and some household items.

You'll always find people saying brand A is great and brand B stinks and then someone who says the opposite, but after a while you'll notice some names that just pop up as good or bad a lot. Also keep in mind some stuff will fit one person better or be more ergonomic for them, so keep that in mind when you see the brand A or B is better or worse discussions.

Tldr, don't buy the cheapest or the most expensive thing. One is cutting corners, and one has extra behavior and whistles that are nice but not necessary to function.

I do have a Rotring pen that I found. It's built like a tank and I love the ergonomics of it, but I usually leave it at my desk because of the weight and I don't want to be the second one to lose it. I have been using my Rotring Tikky a lot lately.

For metal body pens I've been using a few Zebra Kado. I got the first one because it looked like a standard yellow number 2 pencil. Someone was flicking the clip and broke it off, so they guy be a new yellow one and a blue one for breaking it, and I use all 3 now.

When my gf went back to college I got her a Pilot Delguard pencil. She writes pretty heavy handed and it has a mechanism to prevent breakage from pressing too hard. She really enjoys it. I don't do much physical paperwork anymore now that I'm remote, but if I wanted a pencil, is probably get one of the ones that rotates the lead as you write to keep an even line.

I will second the Bogleheads book, which you is online for free by the author. Really simplified investing into a 2 or 3 fund hands off portfolio. I've had great success with it and I never have to worry about financial news.

Ontario Rat pocketknife replaced my Benchmade I sadly lost. 90% as good for way less money. It hurts losing an expensive EDC item.

Add on bidet. I didn't know why baby wipes are so popular when this is cheaper and won't mess up plumbing.

Aeropress and pour over cone with Trade coffee subscription. With my medication I didn't drink much liquor anymore. Coffee tasting has all the fun of trying single origins without interfering with my meds and is probably cheaper and healthier.

Musical instruments. My guitars were fairly cheap and require little maintenance costs. I got my electric piano for free. Hundreds of hours of creativity and expression I can use for the rest of my life that is essentially free at this point. I'm not even very good at music, but it's a fun creative outlet.

Good pens. Don't have to be expensive. Pilot V5 and Uni Jetstream are my cheap go to, but they write so much nicer than super cheap ones. Once you appreciate those, check out JetPens and enjoy yourself.