1. Alexa Home Automation related:

   
   I've found the following items useful and fun in automating my home via seamless integration into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem.
• Several Kasa Smart Plugs which allow you to say "Alexa, turn on the TubeAmp" (which the Amazon Echo Dot has a BT connection to, enabling great HiFi stereo via which you can play PrimeMusic-- included w/your AmazonPrime subscription, Pandora, Spotify, etc in your home), and "Alexa, turn on the Mr. Coffee at 6:15a" after you've setup the coffee pot the evening before.
• Several Kasa Smart Light Switches which allow you to say "Alexa, turn on the DenLight", to set the porch light to go on at Sunset & off at Sunrise, via a timer rule, and allowing "Alexa, after 15min turn off the BathroomFan" when you get out of the shower.
• A TREATLIFE Smart Ceiling Fan Control and light dimmer which allow you to say "Alexa, turn on the CeilingFan"
• A Sengled Smart LED multicolor bulb which allow you to say "Alexa, turn on the MagicLight" or "Alexa, MagicLight 20%" or "Alexa, MagicLight red"
• A Refoss Smart WiFi Garage Door Opener which allow you to say "Alexa, close the garage door" or to open/close it from your phone.
• A Fire TV Stick 4k so you can cut the cord and have voice command over your existing set... or if you're due for a new TV, perhaps the 65" Omni Series 4K UHD smart TV or the 55" Omni QLED Series 4K UHD smart TV.
• A Sharp ZSMC1469HS Microwave Oven which allow you to say "Alexa, microwave my frozen peas for 5min." fwiw, not saying you should buy a new microwave SO that you can say that, however if you were going to get a new microwave this might fit the bill, and the home automation theme. It does keep its time in sync (and resets time after power failures)-- so you can really use it as a kitchen clock on school days. I find it actually works quite well, though i do get some side eye from other family members when speak to the micro...
  I have a Samsung (Model #NE63BG8315SS) stovetop/oven in the kitchen as well, and can similarly turn on/off the oven light via Alexa, along w/keeping its clock sync'ed.
  Ahh... the IoT. Yeah... the Internet, it's gonna be big someday.

2. Go Bucket for the Truck

   
   Some gotta-have-it gear when heading out... i keep them it in a 2.5gal bucket i bring with me in the truck like a portable glovebox:
• Veepak mini BT OBDII dongle connected to the Torque Pro app
• A DanForce USB rechargeable headlamp
• A 4 Ports USB Car Charger USB Adapter with Voltmeter,Type C Port PD 3.1/QC 3.0 Super Fast Charging Car Cigarette Lighter Plug
• A trickle charger which is less about 'heading out', and more about plugging in upon my return if i think i'll letting the machine sit for a few days before next use. This NOCO genius1 seems to be all the rage in this category since the last time i purchased several, though for me to match up w/the quick disconnects on all the batteries hardwired in across the fleet i'll also need to add a SAE adapter connector to my cart.
• A Kindle reader of some variety, and access to your local library to check out and wirelessly download Kindle ebooks.
• Bernzomatic Trigger Start Torch (TS 8000) As Crocodile Dundee would say, "That's not a lighter, this is a lighter."

3. Other tools you should probably have on hand, or otherwise around the house

   
   Some items for the garage bench, your wrist, on or under your counter, etc. I'll leave it to you when and where you use them.
• An inexpensive yet decent multimeter (i have a similar, earlier model. It often travels with me in the Go Bucket as well). And a no frills IR Thermometer, and moisture meter.
• I've also made great use of this Underground wire locator and with it have found 4 separate/buried spinkler valve control boxes with it.
• For you Floridians (or others in warm climates)... if you're going to attempt to maintain your AC units, you're going to want Yellow Jacket Manifold, guages and hoses along with Yellow Jacket Mini Ball valves and a low loss fitting for your red/high pressure hose. I'm a fan of these 5-2-1 Compressor Saver kits even proactively when units are new; and as they age, let alone get old, you'll probably want to have some Leak Savers.
• An Amazfit Band 7 (the successor to the wonderful line of Xiaomi MiBands) connected to the (green) Notify for Amazfit app
• Simple Green
• 5Gal Bucket Lid Mouse Trap

4. Must haves for the nerd bench

   
   OK... must haves are an overstatement, though this is some fun gear to geek out with, 'cause everyone needs a nerd bench, right?
• Yihua 853D Soldering station including a Hot Air Rework gun, and some extra tips and tip tinner to ride shotgun alongside a heat resistant silicone electronic repair mat
• CRC 05103 QD Electronic Cleaner
• Weishi 1000 Timegrapher so you can adjust your Seiko SKX007K or any other automatic watch yourself.

5. The Commode

   
   it deserves its own section.
• I'm a single piece Toto Ultramax Elongated 1 Piece Toilet MS854114SG#01 Cotton White fan, which should come with a Toto soft close lid.
• Between that lid and the bowl, you should have a simple bidet. The LUXE Bidet NEO 185 is a good choice in my book.
• A motion sensing, color LED night light for the bowl is entirely unnecessary... butt there are far worse ways to flush $5.
• In a more traditional tool sense... to the extent you want or need to replace an old, multi-turn gate valve to shutoff supply for your toilet (or sink), in favor of a working, modern 1/4 turn ball valve (maintaining OG style internal copper compression fitting), and in the process of attempting to reuse the old nut and ferrule find it seeping or worse due to mineral deposits or other corrosion needing remediation prior to new refitting... you will need a US threaded (hard to find-- i bought 2 other tools first which had foreign/metric threads, despite claims to the contrary, before settling on this one) 1/2" compression fitting nut and ferrule puller. This one is a winner.
• And to the extent you live in a house full of women like me (i'd have it no other way) these tub and sink strainers make a great alternative to the stock drain stoppers, in terms of keep the drains hair clog free.

6. Coffee-- on feeding the Espresso ritual

   
   After grinding away at it one morning after the previous... it's now brewed into its own page. There's an area of my kitchen countertop that's beginning to resemble a modest science lab.

7. The Truck

   
   While the coffee fixation may get there, the truck... well, if it doesn't warrant its own page after the 30+ years i've had the privilege of shepherding her, then i don't know what does.

So that's the story. These are simply some things i find useful and enjoy putting to good use. I've been thinking of hosting a Marc's Products page for years; finally got around to it.
Hope you'll find some corner of it interesting as well.

Note: This page contains affiliates links for hours of quiet games fun. So yeah, as official disclosures go, so you know... "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." That was true at one point, but then Amazon booted me faster than a DOS days 3-finger salute CTRL-ALT-DEL reboot, after i didn't sell enough to meet quota. The funny part about my excommunication was they indicated i'd earned $18.05 prior to being kicked out of the program. Further, i was informed i could claim it if i provided them a range of PII for tax filing purposes. Against my better judgement, I went through the motions and provided the requested info. At some point later i received this check for $3.05 along with accounting that indicated they charged me a $15 "Check Processing Fee" against my earnings. I never cashed it and instead kept it for framing as a souvenir of such lunacy and now that it's expired i thought i'd share it with you. Enjoy! :-)