Buy Nothing Groups
These hyper-local Facebook groups have sprung up around the world as a way to curb consumption and knit community. Today, I met a chocolatier who lives around the corner and responded to my ISO for 1/4 cup of black cocoa—it’s apparently sold out everywhere due to Covid-related shortages—which may be the most neighborly thing I’ve ever done. (Run to the neighbor’s house for a cup of sugar, but make it social media.) I also gave away our old puppy supplies to someone newly fostering down the street. My local chapter has also started using the group to address food insecurity in our community, offering up the fruits of our stress baking or, more simply, pantry items that are going unused. I love that it’s a way to live more sustainably—I check with the group before buying anything that I’ll only use for a short while (like a scooter helmet my toddler is sure to reject)—and also to meet neighbors during a time that’s otherwise so isolating. —Nikki Ekstein, travel editor, Bloomberg Pursuits
Scientist
While we wait for science to save the day, I’ve been turning to Scientist. The music producer, born Hopeton Overton Brown, made a string of early 1980s reggae albums that are slow, pretty, and drenched in echo. I’ve never liked mellowness so much. —Max Abelson, reporter, Bloomberg News
Dungeons & Dragons
We started playing this in earnest over Zoom with myself, my two sons (aged 8 and 12) and my college friends and their kids who live in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London. It’s been great and a wonderful way to connect and have fun, too. There’s all sorts of campaigns; we started with one from a starter’s guide. One of my sons is a rogue, my other is a half-elf wizard, and I’m a fighter. —Matthew Leising, finance reporter, Bloomberg News
Beer Without the Calories
One of my favorite breweries doesn’t actually make beer. Hoplark HopTea’s unique take on tea has the same hoppy taste as my favorite craft brews, but without the calories. A $45 a month subscription gives you access to a special 12-pack every four weeks (and other discounts). They also stock these awesome teas at Whole Foods. —Michael Leibel, social media and audience development editor, Bloomberg Businessweek
Tony’s Chocolonely
It was really the “outworldliness” and “extraordinariness” that drew me to Tony’s Chocolonely, breaking my monotonous routine of being confined to the same four walls. The chocolate bar became my daily pandemic staple in the grimmest lockdown days and just as the intensity of working from home asked for some feel-good sugar kick. The wrapping’s psychedelic colors and irregular pieces transport you to Willy Wonka’s world. And the chocolate itself—rich and smooth, with unusual flavor combinations ranging from dark milk pretzel toffee to white raspberry popping candy—would make for an exploration. Its mission-driven maker works directly with West African farmers to produce chocolate that’s 100% slave free, making it a totally guilt-free pleasure. —Agnieszka de Sousa, food & agriculture reporter, Bloomberg News
Bike Share
Somehow, I spent most of my life not knowing how to ride a bike. New York’s lockdown gave me time to change that with a Citi Bike membership. Zipping around in a bike lane is a pleasure instead of a chore—I haven’t taken the subway since March. Now my sister’s learning, too. —Annie Massa, investing reporter, Bloomberg News
A Litterbox Alternative
We became pet owners for the first time shortly before the pandemic, adopting two kittens that brought us great joy—but their litter box did not. Then I stumbled upon Kitty’s Loo, an amazing device that trains your cat to use a human toilet. No more buying litter, never touch a scoop again, simply flush away as the law of evolution intended. But it takes time to train them, and you need to be present so that you can reward them with treats when they use it (and be around to clean up when they don’t), so WFH was the perfect opportunity. Our kittens learned to use it in about three months. Next, we’re hoping to train them to pull the flush lever. —Natalie Obiko Pearson, Vancouver bureau chief, Bloomberg News
Used Library Books
My son already had a sizable library of great children’s books, and then came the pandemic. Let’s just say we’ve had so many reading opportunities these past few months that we needed a few new titles. In addition to supporting our beloved local bookstore, I’ve expanded his collection with an assist from AbeBooks.com. I try to buy only used hardcover titles, most of which are decommissioned library books still in good condition. They cost only a few bucks apiece, ship for free, and feel great in your hands. —Joel Weber, editor, Bloomberg Businessweek
Hoka Running Shoes
An unexpected consequence of my zero-commute WFH existence has been a whole lot of walking. I force myself to get outside and walk whenever possible—during conference calls, Zoom calls, whenever I don’t need to type while talking. That means I’ve been logging at least six or seven miles a day. That also means I needed much better footwear, and the savior of my knees and ankles has been my pair of Hoka Bondi 7 running shoes. (I still aspire to run. Someday.) They’re super comfy and have maximalist padding. Not for everyone. But for anyone of a certain age prone to joint pain, these shoes are worth it. —Jim Aley, features editor, Bloomberg Businessweek
Moka Pot
When the coffee shops shut down I resorted to my dusty French press for a few weeks before a vague memory from a hiking trip saw us buy a Bialetti Moka Pot, a stove top coffee maker. It is the nearest thing you can get to espresso coffee without an espresso machine. The brewing process has become a cherished morning ritual, along with sipping the steaming cup of coffee that results. —Tom Metcalf, finance editor, Bloomberg News