by Jules Older, Vermont Business Magazine
If you've read this column over the years, you're aware of three things:
- I never write about a product I haven't tested
- I love well-made products
- I love a bargain.
I also love to write about little-known products that come from small companies. So, if you told me I'd be writing about — praising — products from K-Mart and Sam’s Club, I'd have suggested you stop taking drugs.
But there it is. My first item today comes from, yes, K-Mart. The second is from a chain I've never entered, much less joined, Sam’s Club.
Anko Square Slide Lock Container. One thing I admire is when a company takes an already excellent product and makes it better. When the company sells it at a bargain price, well, love is in the air.
For that's the case with the Anko Square Slide Lock Container. Anko is K-Mart’s home brand, and the old containers were not only well designed but well built. Ours lasted almost five years.
But after almost five years of daily use, some needed replacing. So, off to K-Mart I went, hoping they were still available. Not only were they available, they were improved — the new model’s taller, thinner, stackable, BPA-free and with even better-sealing lids. Full marks, K-Mart.
Photo by Effin Older, Anko Container
And full marks to Sam’s Club for what instantly became my favorite kitchen knife. It’s the Member’s Mark Santoku 7. The price? $12 — for two.
If I'm not a member of Sam’s Club, how do I know about their knives? Every year, our far-flung family meets in the middle, which in our case is Hawaii. We always stay at our favorite bargain hotel, the Ilima. And for the past few years, I've been wildly impressed with the sharpness, balance and feel of the knife that sits in our unit’s kitchen drawer. I asked about it. “Oh, they're not only good, they're cheap. Would you like one?”
“I-I would love one! Is that ok?”
“Well, since your family has been coming here for 13 years, I think we can spare you a knife or two.”
They did. And I use it every day. Oh, and by the way, it sharpens beautifully. I use the Accusharp sharpener, also a bargain.
Photo by Effin Older, Member’s Mark knife
AI. Whenever I write about artificial intelligence, no matter where I’m writing, readers denounce me. AI, they say, is the devil’s work, a pitchfork filled with evil. They go on, “Not only is it stealing our words, it’s stealing our ability to think. And devouring vast amounts of electricity to feed its endless hunger.”
They're right about the juice it consumes — though I wish they were as concerned about power-gobbling and pretty-much-useless cryptocurrencies. Where we disagree is that I see AI as an extremely powerful new tool that can and will be used for good (cancer screening, turning text into sign language, helping combat world hunger) and bad (misleading voters, faking identities, stealing your savings). But for good and bad, I see AI as significant a change as the Digital Age and maybe even the motor car.
Here's my view of AI in 10 short words:
AI is dangerous
AI is useful
AI ain’t going away
So. If you're open to it, consider this review of The 18 Best AI Platforms in 2025.
Money. While we’re on weighty topics, let’s talk money. No, not making money — saving money. We’re in tough times — taking control of our outflow is especially important. Here are my three cash-saving tips:
- Buy a Timex, not a Rolex. Which one keeps better time? The Timex. Which one has more advanced design? The Timex. Which one won't bankrupt you with purchase price and service costs? You guessed it: The Timex.
- Don't buy diamonds. Like Rolex watches, the splendor of diamond jewelry is a long-standing, highly funded hustle. Diamonds are not as beautiful as rubies, opals, emeralds — almost any other gemstone. They just cost more. Much, much more. Don't pay it.
- Don't put stuff in storage. My advice isn't based on scientific study or hard statistics. It’s just that I know too many folks who have paid a lot to store their goods — usually household goods — and when they've finally paid the hefty bill to get ‘em back, discover that they should have just sold, dumped or given the lot away. They've spent money for nothing.
OK, two more bargains:
Darn Tough socks. Yes, they're still made in Vermont, and yes, they still come with a lifetime guarantee.
Darn Tough photo
Aegero belt. Clever thing — this belt buckle clips into the belt’s braids so no holes needed. And it’s only five bucks on Amazon.
Aegero belt courtesy photo.
iPhones. “Which iPhone should I buy?” People ask me this a lot. I've thought about it a lot. And I have good news for bargain hunters. If you want a phone primarily because you need a phone, you'll save a ton and have a fine instrument by buying a refurbished iPhone 14. If you also want a fine set of cameras with it, get the iPhone 14 Pro. You'll still save a ton.
But, if you're a serious photographer or filmer, you may want to cough up the cash for the iPhone 17 Pro. It is the first major iPhone advance Apple has made in a long time. And while I haven't yet tried it (Remember: I never write about a product I haven't tested), I have every intention of buying one soon.
Finally, if you're a new reader, let me acquaint you with the Older family motto: TATA — Turn Adversity to Advantage. Today’s failure can be turned into tomorrow’s unexpected success. The Olders have done this many, many times. You can, too. As the song goes …
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try
Try and try, you'll succeed at last.
Jules Older is a clinical psychologist, medical educator and executive consultant. He’s also a writer. His latest books for kids are Special Ed and the White Force, Special Ed and the Megatroid and Special Ed and the Hydra-Serpent. They're available here.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
