Used to agree, but this slower pace really grew on me.

My grandma in Tucson taught me to always add a pinch of baking soda to the soaking water. It softens the water and helps break down the bean skins. I've never had a pot of beans stay hard using that trick, even with older beans from the store. You might also check the expiration date on the bag, because really old beans just won't soften up no matter what you do.

Ever hear about the guy who found metal shavings in his lens assembly? My buddy traced it back to his own drill press across the shop.

Totally get that, it's like we only count the money cost and forget our time is worth something. I see it all the time with people trying to save a few bucks but spending hours to do it. Maybe it's just me but that math never adds up, you end up paying more in effort. We act like our own time is free, which is kinda wild when you think about it.

Another thing that helped me was buying the store brand for stuff like spices and canned beans. The taste is the same and it's way cheaper than the name brand stuff.