These Days, I Try to Buy the Best

[BrownBagger]

I think facing impending death (or the very real threat thereof), has allowed me to unleash my inner consumer. These days, when I buy anything, I figure it's probably the last [insert consumer product] that I'll ever buy, so I tend to spend more than I otherwise would. It feels good; strangely liberating.

[Staci's team]

This is a completely OT response....but you don't know how happy it makes me to see that the ticker in your signature now has 5 digits in it!

Congratulations, BB....here's to many more miles. Now to get back on topic, maybe that means you need to go buy a new bike!


Chris

[CRguy]

My father used to say : " Buy the best you can afford and expect it to last.....OR buy the cheapest and expect to replace it."

I figured out a long time ago I like spending my time using the good stuff and spending NO time replacing cheap stuff all the time, which is why I gag every time I see a made in PRC label on anything.... usually means if it even makes it to the warranty date (unlikely) it will croak shortly thereafter.

I am with you bro' ... I want all my toys to croak after I do, and just let me have fun along the way !


Cheers 'n Harmony
CRguy

[Rob in PA]

Speaking of toys, how's that new pickup truck treating you BB? I went out and got myself a new one too because you guys talking about trucks a couple months ago got me all jazzed up to get a new one!

Rob

[BrownBagger]

Speaking of toys, how's that new pickup truck treating you BB? I went out and got myself a new one too because you guys talking about trucks a couple months ago got me all jazzed up to get a new one!

Rob

The Taco rides like a dream and has an awesome Blue Tooth audio system. The 4 cyl engine doesn't have the power of the 6 in my old Ranger, but it's got its sweet spots, and I'm trying to learn and exploit them. Haven't hauled any wood--yet--but as soon as the snow abates up North, I'm back in business.

What did you get, Rob? The Taco was the smallest pickup I could find, and it's pretty big. They call them "midsize" trucks these days. Gets worse gas mileage, on average, than the 2004 Ranger. Go figure….

But I think it's going to be a nice wood hauler. A pretty sweet ride, in any event.

[Val*pal]

Would you guys mind talking to my husband??

He has an almost untouched 2008 Dodge Ram truck in the garage (3,000 miles) that he is "saving". Meanwhile, he drives a much older Honda with 180,000 miles on it. Oh, and though he just purchased a brand new pair of eye glasses, he's still wearing the old ones to "save" the new ones. I could go on and on. I keep telling him to enjoy anything and everything, but he does not listen to me.

[raym]

I do tend to worry less about money (as long as we can afford it). But hoping to keep my 2004 Highlander going for awhile...it's up to 217,000 miles. Wife's 2007 Accord is at 141,000 so hoping that will last a bit too.

[RickMurtagh]

why, oh why, did you ditch the ranger? mine is a 2003 w only 71k miles and i still love driving it to work each day. and it is HARD to love driving in jersey!

[Mommato4boys]

BrownBagger, I like your way of thinking. Now the next time I'm out shopping, I will remember reading your post and thinking that I deserve the best, especially if it's my last

[lohidoc]

Ha! I am the other way BB. I've never been a materialistic kind of person, but since my recurrence I find it difficult, for obvious reasons, to justify personal expenses. My computer is a 2004 Ebay purchase, I just took my trusted 1992 volvo 240 to the knacker's yard, after cannibalizing it for my daughter's 1990 Volvo (she's like me).

I wear patched up LL Bean clothes, I'm down to my last plate, and will only cook two days ahead.

Anyone on my side in this?

[Wendyz4]

Love this post.
I'm with BB, and currently NED.
Starbucks in the morning and eating out are my weakness.
Hate shopping for clothes and cars, still driving a mini van-BOO

[skypup]

I'm a mix. I don't buy much (never did, really, but sure not now!) and have been giving stuff away like crazy. But when I do get something, I get good stuff. Like wine.

[Voxx66]

I'm with you on this. If I want something I buy it. (Just got a monster new computer from Falcon NW) My car is a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 (Also a 2013 Ford escape that I bought for my mother but she really can't drive anymore) but thinking about getting a new Nissan 370z. I've got a real weakness for prime dry-aged beef and finally indulge my tastes instead of worrying about the money. Can't take the money with me so I may as well enjoy myself now. (really want a Rolex watch I have been eyeing for some time but for whatever reason finding it hard to pull the trigger on that one)

[BrownBagger]

why, oh why, did you ditch the ranger? mine is a 2003 w only 71k miles and i still love driving it to work each day. and it is HARD to love driving in jersey!

It was a company vehicle, and my board got sick of the repair costs. It had 150,000 miles on it, and nothing was breaking that shouldn't have at that age. But the bills were starting to add up. Plus, with business improving, I guess they figured I could use a new ride.

But I did love that Ranger. Hauled ten years worth of firewood with that truck, which probably amounted to 120 full cords. It had a fiberglass bed, which is probably why it consistently got 23 mpg. The Taco gets about 21.

Generally speaking, I tend to cheap out on things I don't know much about. Stuff I know, like computers and chain saws, I buy the best I can afford. Or phones. A few years ago I would have bought an iPhone 4 or 5C (if they'd been available then). But instead I spent the extra $100 on the 5S. It's just nicer.

[PGLGreg]

Yes, I do that, too. I don't have a cancer problem any longer, but I do have an age problem. I just bought a very expensive induction burner that is wonderful to cook on. And I ordered a digital fish tank yesterday. I'm never going to get myself to buy a new car, however.