Totally agree about the simpler upgrades. I ditched my overly complicated smart coffee maker for a basic programmable one—no more app crashes at 7 AM. Sometimes less really is more, especially before caffeine kicks in...
Haha, totally feel you on the coffee maker drama. My "smart" thermostat once decided to update itself mid-winter night and reset to 60 degrees... woke up freezing and confused. Now I'm sticking with the basics—if it has more buttons than my TV remote, it's probably smarter than I need. Lesson learned: never trust tech that thinks it's smarter than you before you've had your coffee.
"if it has more buttons than my TV remote, it's probably smarter than I need."
Haha, totally get that. Reminds me of when I installed those fancy smart lights in my kitchen remodel. Thought they'd be convenient, but ended up spending more time troubleshooting the app than actually cooking dinner. Now I've got a simple dimmer switch—no Wi-Fi required—and honestly, life's easier. Tech's great until it starts making decisions without you... especially before coffee.
Haha, been there myself. When we first moved into our old Victorian, I thought it'd be great to have a thermostat I could control from my phone. Turns out, the thing kept resetting itself and randomly switching temps at night. Eventually went back to a basic programmable one—no apps, no updates, just set it and forget it. Sometimes simpler really is better...sounds like you've found your sweet spot too.
Interesting take, but maybe it was just a compatibility thing with your older wiring? I've installed quite a few smart thermostats in older homes, and usually it's about finding the right model that plays nice with older systems. Some brands handle quirky wiring setups better than others. Still, can't argue with simplicity sometimes...but if you ever reconsider, maybe try a different brand or check the wiring first.