consumer reports

and i are breaking up for good. I clearly remember the first time I learned of Consumer Reports. I was in fifth grade and so excited that such a resource existed. Unbiased, scientific evaluation of all sorts of product... I still love the concept. Coming from a family with limited resources, I secretly wished my parents would use the magazine to be sure that each purchase was the best one and would serve them well. I doubt that I ever shared this with them as I was (and am) better at secret worrying.

Later in life, I relished making purchases only after checking every possible source including Consumer Reports. Pre-internet, I'd go to the library to look up the articles. My most recent CR purchases are our washer and dryer and our vacuum. All three suck. I'm wondering if anybody who does the ratings actually uses the things. The washer and dryer are great, if you don't have a well and don't do much laundry... but that's not what I'm here about. It's the latest bane of my existence: the vacuum. The vacuum has little pieces that broke right away. When I sent the thing back to Sears, they repaired one out of three problems and I haven't sent it back as I hate living without a vacuum. Outside of that, it's HEAVY, cumbersome, unwieldy, and none of the parts are easy to utilize. I hate this thing -- did I mention that it's clumsy and HEAVY? Anyhow, don't buy this vacuum. That's my little consumer tip of the day.

Kenmore Progressive Upright Vacuum with Inteli-Clean System, Slate Blue

$350 of the worst dollars you'll ever spend.