The Total Value Audit — Our Methodology
Every product on this site is something I actually bought. The methodology behind each purchase — and each article — is the same framework I apply in my own life: the Total Value Audit.
This is not a review site in the traditional sense. There are no affiliate-driven rankings, no "top 10" lists built around keyword volume. There is one product per article — the one I researched, chose, and own.
The six criteria
1. Performance for the price
The first question is always: does this product do what it is supposed to do, and does it do it well relative to what you paid? This is deliberately qualitative. A coffee machine at 3,000 SEK should produce noticeably better coffee than one at 800 SEK — and if it does not, no amount of build quality or longevity justifies the price difference. I always start here, with the core function, before evaluating anything else.
Performance is also what makes a purchase satisfying to use over time. A product that works beautifully every day is one you keep and maintain. A product that merely works is one you eventually replace. So performance is not separate from durability — it is part of what makes something worth keeping.
2. Build quality
What is the product made of? How does it feel to use over months and years? I look for materials that age well, tolerances that hold, and design choices that suggest the manufacturer expects the product to last.
2. Longevity
How long should this product last given realistic use? I compare against the category average and note any documented failure points. A product that lasts 10 years at 3× the price of one that lasts 3 years is often the better choice — and I show the maths.
3. True Cost of Ownership
Sticker price is the worst way to compare purchases. The number that matters is cost per year of ownership. I also track what a comparable budget alternative would cost over the same period, and document resale value where applicable — particularly relevant in Nordic markets where platforms like Blocket and Finn.no maintain strong second-hand prices for quality goods.
4. Repairability
Can this product be serviced? Are spare parts available? A product you can repair and maintain is worth more than one you have to replace. I note iFixit scores where available, and my own experience with manufacturer support.
5. Sustainability
Buying once is the most sustainable consumer decision. I also consider manufacturing ethics, the longevity of the materials, and whether the product can be recycled or refurbished at end of life.
What counts as proof
Every article includes a purchase date, where I bought it, what I paid, and — where possible — photos of the actual product in use. The point is that the experience documented here cannot be faked: it is the product of owning and using the thing, not reading about it.
What this site does not do
It does not review products I do not own. It does not publish sponsored content. It does not rank products I have not used. Affiliate links are present where products are available to buy — they do not influence which products get written about or how they are evaluated.