Thanks mcat 2. I live in a condo where the walls are thin and there is minimal counter space. I need something compact that I could put away when it is not used. Maybe I should start small and see how much I use it before investing in a Vitamix.
]Something that can handle vegetables,seeds, and nuts. (Almonds, cashews, flax,pumpkin, and Chia seeds possibly pomegranate seeds. It should blend vegetables well if I want to make soup. It should be durable and built to last.]
But this is a vitamix or blendtec. I argued my way around this for at least 3 crappy blenders, I bought a well rated soter, tried it, took it back and walked into Costco and bought the vitamix then and there. Most days it is used at least once, some days several times, but for sure this is a counter top item that needs to stay on the counter. I make smoothies every school day. It also makes fabulous margaritas. The slushy touristy kind I like LOL.
You have done much better than we have.
Except for the first 2 months when we first got our Vitamix, we use once every two months 
However, when DS was at home, we likely used it every other day (still not as frequently as you do.)
Re: Condo.
My wife “informed” me the other day that when we move back to the lower COL state where we came from, she refuses to live in an 1-bedroom apartment like the one we live in now. (Of course, she would not mind moving back to our original 5-bedroom house - the mortgage of which is $400 lower than the rent of my 1-bedroom apartment in this crowded and $$$ city now.)
Another Vitamix fan after buying a few lower priced blenders, this brand does not disappoint. And it is so easy to clean. My daughter has a Ninja and is happy however she has noted the Vitamix blends frozen fruit much smoother in comparison. She is all about the smooth consistency in her smoothies.The Ninja was a step up from her last blender so she is happy enough.
I used to use a cheap blender and have to replace it every couple of years. Then I bought the VItamix and I think it’s been at least 10 years and going strong. Much, much better than the cheap ones. And it’s on sale at Costco until today for $50 off. Just bought one for my son for Christmas.
@3bm103 Which vitamix model did you purchase? Only one is for non members and the other two is members only pricing.
I have a Waring blender. Think it’s the 50th (or 60th) anniversary model from Williams Sonoma. It only has 2 speeds, but it is glass and not plastic, and it’s lasted at least 10 years, maybe longer
I have a very old blender from aunt. It has heavy glass pitcher portion and has functioned very nicely for the many years we’ve had it. My relatives have bought various models; H had a Vitamix decades ago, when he was single but gave it away before we met. He said he just wasn’t using it much and it took space.
@3bm103 I echo your statement about replacing cheap blenders. I bought DH a Vitamix at Costco last summer for a birthday gift. We bought the lower profile model that we store in a pullout drawer. Love it.
I’ve had my VitaMix for 23 years now. It’s the old style, with the metal container with a spigot. Sometimes I think about getting the current model but this old one still works fine!
I even grind durum wheat berries with it to make my bread. A real workhorse.
@raclut The 5300 model. I don’t know if it’s a members only since I am a member. It’s on sale for $349.99 and apparently it’s still on sale.