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My absolute favorite things are the living and breathing things in my life; Chrissy, my kids, grandkids, friends, and even Sophie the wondercat. But this article is about the inanimate objects that make me happy, without breaking the bank.
Our house, at 1900 square feet, is neither tiny nor large. It is nice, easy to clean and big enough to host my favorite living things. We live on plat three. Plat four is under construction. Last week we took a drive to the new section. We thought we would check out the new model home. It was very nice. It was bigger than ours. It had many amenities that our house doesn’t. It cost nearly twice what we paid two years ago. We like our house. It’s enough.
I like music. I’ve written about my vinyl resting place; the room that houses my records, CDs, and of course, the equipment that brings them to life. I kept my 40 year old amplifier until it was too costly to repair. A new integrated amp from the same manufacturer sells for $7000. My new one, from a different manufacturer, cost a fraction of that, and it sounds great. I would get no additional enjoyment from the expensive stuff. I have had my speakers since they were built in 1977, in Hope Arkansas. No need for new speakers, these still sound great.
Wrist watches are a status symbol for many. While lunching with an old friend the other day, I noticed a Rolex on his arm. I remember many years ago, he showed me a knock-off Rolex, so I have no idea if this watch was real. Even if that one was the real deal, I’ll always suspect a forgery. I did not acknowledge it.
I like watches too, but not to impress, I have several. My favorite is a 1970s vintage automatic Omega that my dad received when he retired from Jeep. Dad never wore it, and it still has the original leather watch band. It brings to mind memories of Dad. I only wear it when I get dressed up, which is not very often.
There was a saying made popular in World War II, “you don’t know shit from shinola”. Shinola was shoe polish made in Detroit around 1900. You can probably understand the adage without further explanation. Around 2011, a Texas billionaire got the idea to build something in a struggling American city. He decided on Detroit partly because it was struggling, and partly because the Shinola name made for a good story. In 2013 the first Shinola watch was produced in Detroit, by Detroiters, who were trained by Swiss watch makers, using some Swiss components. They are very well made. They sell for a tiny fraction of a Rolex. My city, Toledo, is practically a suburb of Detroit so it’s sort of personal for me. I own a couple Shinolas, not because of status, but because of the story, the proximity to my home town, and of course, because I like watches.
I drive an Equinox. My friend drives a Lexus SUV. I have driven his Lexus. It is definitely a nicer car than my Chevy. Is it twice as nice, as the price would indicate? Not to me.
I wear blue jeans. I can’t understand paying more for pants with pre-ripped knees; if that makes me old, so be it. I don’t buy Levis anymore, I discovered I can buy jeans from Costco or Kohls that fit well and look fine for a fraction of the price.
I’m at a point in my life where I could reach deeper into the piggy bank to buy more expensive things, however, I don’t believe spending more would provide additional satisfaction.
Understanding the point of diminishing returns not only keeps our retirement secure, it also helped to get us here in the first place.
Nice perspective, Dan. I agree with you. It is about what we value and priority.
Brilliant post, Dan. I believe that anything is worth only what you think it is worth; the rest is advertising and celebrity endorsement. The purpose of a car is to take you from point A to point B; the purpose of a watch is to tell you the time. Just because the actress XYZ is leaning against it or wearing it doesn’t make it any more desirable or better.
When I read posts like this one and Where to Keep Cash (which I have way too much of, but at least not at .01 APY), and all the commenters who chime in, I know I have found my tribe.
I’ve been part of the Mac ecosystem since my first computer back in the ’80s, and now own an iPhone and an iWatch, two Swiss Army Knife–devices that are worth their price because of the many things, big and little, they can do. My iWatch timer just buzzed me to remind me that the clothes in the dryer are ready and when I glanced at its watch face, it showed me a random photo I’d taken of a sparkling canyon river in Zion Park a while back. These random photos make me smile many times a day and often evoke a little ping of gratitude, which is worth something, I think.
Along with some other commenters, I am a Subaru fan. We bought a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport that is similar to our 12-year-old Subaru Impreza (in that it is short enough to fit into our 1950s garage) but has all the safety features I’d heard tell of (favorite: the rearview mirror blindspot lights) and sits much higher up—less groaning getting in and out! 😳
I guess I subscribe to “little things mean a lot.”
Laura, your kind words made my day. I never thought that I would be involved in an online community. Then HD came along, Jonathan was so encouraging, and everyone was so welcoming, now HD is a part of each day.
Thanks for a great post Dan. Yep, I have very few new clothes, feel I have more than enough already, I am 80 years old. When I buy new, I do a lot of research. Generally no need to buy the best, usually a waste of money, but I like to buy appliances that will last a long time. For computers, I just buy Apple Macs, yep you pay more, but when I have any issue, I can get answers easily and quickly from the Apple Store, never seemed to have that capability with PC’s. You guessed it, I also like iPhones, but I only buy a new one about every 7 years or so, they last a very long time, same for Mac’s. When it comes to cars, I like the Equinox, but fell in love with Lexus RX350’s, and I do really enjoy the safety features, because you need them more when you are a senior. However, I keep my Lexus 7 years or so too.. To sum up, I save every nickel and dime I can, but I like quality, of Mac’s, iPhone’s and cars. When it comes to music, I digitized all my CD’s, tapes etc, and have them all on my iPhone, can play them on any bluetooth speaker, car, TV, Bose. Being very careful with my money is second nature, learning that from my parents and grandparents.
I believe in buying high-quality goods that I will use for a lifetime. The Klipsch speakers that you currently own are as good as anything you can buy today even though they are 50 years old. I too own a pair that I purchased 50 years ago when I worked at a high-end stereo store.
The clothing that I own and wear are also quality goods. I have a chammy shirt from L.L. Bean that belonged to my great grandfather. The Levi’s jeans I am wearing right now are probably 20 years old, but still in good shape. I did put one pair of my Levi’s in the back of the closet because it was getting a little worn, but it wasn’t ripped or anything. It’s just a back up pair now. I have one shirt from Brooks Brothers, whose collar is a little frayed but it is probably 35 years old. What I’m wearing today I could have been wearing 50 years ago and I suspect I will be wearing until I die.
The one area where I spend money that differs from most humble dollar readers is on automobiles. As I get older, I appreciate the improved safety features that new technologies brings to automobiles. The automatic driving assist in my new jeep grand Cherokee does correct me when I get distracted. I find it very useful at night and in the rain. I traded in a four year old Jeep with only 19,000 miles to get this new one. And the amount of money I got on my trade in at that point in time was probably 80% of what I paid for the car in 2021.
I don’t like to spend money foolishly, but I don’t intend to be the richest man in the graveyard either.
For sure, Bob, we can’t take it with us.
Improved safety features were a huge factor in our deciding to replace the Prius; it’s hard for me to put a price on safety.
Dan, Your comment is spot on that is why we replaced my 18 year old Tacoma with a new one, and when our 10 year old Subaru Forrester became unreliable we replaced with the top of the line Toyota Crown Signia. Also you can’t beat Toyotas for value.
I just read a review of the Crown that put it on par with Lexus.
It is actually manufactured in the Lexus plant in Japan utilizing some of their parts.
Enjoyed the post, Dan. I got hooked on a Fitbit watch because of the feedback regarding sleep and activity. I refer to that information every day and would really miss it if I went back to a regular watch.
I’m liking the new Fitbit AI coach, though it sounds like a bit of a yes man.
Really good post Dan. I drive a terrain (basically same as your equinox) and it gets me around. I like it, its 11 years old and in great shape. Every once in awhile someone will comment if I just did “this or that” I could get a nicer newer car. I smile and nod. I can certainly afford a newer car, but I’m happy. Spending 30K or 50k or even 70k would bring me little joy. Diminishing returns for sure. Enjoyed the read, Go Toledo!
Thanks, Mike. I just put a new set of Michelin CrossClimate tires on it, and we are only driving about 8K miles per year, so I plan on driving mine for at least another 5 or 6 years. Good tires is one area where I am willing to spend more, and these CrossClimates really are great tires.
By that time I’ll be 80, so may just drop down to one car.
What is a normal goal to a young person becomes a neurotic hindrance in old age. -Carl Jung
Great post Dan. I’m right with you, especially with the watches. My son the engineer has some ungodly large and expensive watches. I of course sport a 25 dollar Timex. Occasionally I will mention his and ask “By the way what time have you got there”? He answers and I reply — “Funny, I have the same time”!!
I don’t even bother with a watch anymore.
I’m retired so being somewhere ‘on-time’ to me is 10 minutes early. We try to leave the condo with “time to spare”.
If I want to know the time I look at my smartphone, which I always carry with me.
I have stopped wearing a watch, mainly due to having that dang phone with me. As a hobby, I restore/repair antique clocks and every week in my house I make the rounds to wind at least 10 clocks. Yesterday, due to the seasonal time change, I did the rounds twice: 1st) to stop the clocks for an hour; 2nd) to wind them and push the pendulum to get the ticking started.
Winston, I know what you’re saying. I didn’t wear watches for years, as everywhere I turn there’s some kind of clock staring back at me. I know I don’t score any points with the FIRE folk on the site, but I just like wearing a watch these days.
If you had an IWatch, your iPhone would talk to it and you would have a choice of looking at your wrist or reaching in your pocket. 😎
This reminds me of my grandfather asking me years ago how much I had paid for a watch I had just purchased in his little town when mine died. I forget the amount, but it was a digital Timex knockoff (not even a real Timex), so it was small. But I remember what his watch cost, because when I told him my number, he said “___ dollars?!?! Well, you wasted money. I got this watch for six dollars!”
He would spend money on some things, and he could, but he could for a reason. This kind of thing was one reason.
Fantastic post Dan! I’m a fellow vinyl lover that still listens to them on my 1980’s vintage Klipsch speakers as well. It is so nice to be content with knowing what “enough” is.
LOL, John. I guess Hope Arkansas gave it away.
Dan, I am guessing the new integrated amp for $7,000 would be from McIntosh.
Actually Luxman. I think a Mac may be double or triple that. I recently listened to some McIntosh tubes and turntable, running a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls. My ears didn’t register a profound difference compared to more modest gear.
Great observations, Dan. I think buying things with enough quality to serve our needs is wise, but beyond that is often sad. We’re just succumbing to our need to impress or falling for the ploy of the seller. Either way, we’re letting someone else get inside our head to control a piece of our lives–and our money.
Dan – great post. I’ve thought about this a great deal, and we’re mostly on the same page.
I was dealing with a cantankerous laptop. It was old and decrepit enough that it would not accept a Win11 upgrade. I waited for a sale (HP Labor Day sale), and finally found one that should have enough power, protection, and storage for a long time. After decades of using computers for high-end technical computing, all I do now is read email, websites, create the occasional spreadsheet, Quicken, and TurboTax,
The other thing is like David Lancaster posted below, and I’ve noted before. I finally bought a new car. My old 2011 Subaru ran fine and there were no impending problems, but I wanted the newest, most up-to-date safety features. So now I have a 2025 Subaru. This time I bought a hybrid, and I’m mostly happy with the fuel economy. I’m not piling up the miles. I bought it over five months ago and it required a couple of trips to bring the mileage up to 4,400 miles.
At 56000 miles, my 2009 Forester goes through about 8 gallons a month. I don’t like the new direct injection engines; short trips would lead to oil dilution in a new one. AND, certainly, the insurance for it is much cheaper than a new one.
We have a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek w/ 39,000 miles. Purchased it new. Funny you should mention that direct injection engine. At 20,000 miles and again at 37,000 miles all the dashboard warning lights lit up while I was driving. Had to bring it to the dealer for servicing. Turns out there was carbon build up on the valves and cylinder heads. Had to be cleaned and runs great after the cleaning. Subaru has even put out a service bulletin to address the issue.
I was first told problem may be related to poor quality gasoline. We exclusively use a well rated gasoline. Second time I was told it may be because of short trips, lack of highway driving, low mileage, etc. We put approx. 8000 miles per year on both our cars.
I have had 4 other cars (Mazda, Nissan, Honda and Chevy) driven the same way using the same type of gas. I have never had a problem with carbon build up on any of those cars. Some independent research and a conversation with my regular mechanic points to the direct injection engine.
Buyer beware.
Stelea99 – You obviously don’t drive a lot. 🙂 My 2011 Forester had around 114,000 miles on the odometer. It was reliable and economical. It had started to burn a bit of oil, so I checked the oil level at least once a month and before every trip.
They’ve heard me talk about them enough that both of my sons are Subaru owners.
“certainly, the insurance for it is much cheaper than a new one.”
Suprisingly that may not be the case. Last November we traded in our 2013 Forrester because we were having electrical issues and it was no longer reliable. It was worth about 5K. We bought a 2025 Toyota Crown Signia for just over 50k and received a rebate of between one and two hundred dollars due to the numerous safety features.
David – I concur. My auto insurance went up a marginal amount when I bought the new car.
Jeff, my wife, wanted a sub-compact SUV. We got her a Crosstrek 6 months ago. It’s a fun and solid performer, and as you mention, has new safety features that her 2010 Prius did not.
I have a sub-compact SUV. I had to be talked into it because I’m used to driving smaller cars, but I’ve learned to love it. It’s comfortable and safe, and because of the “sub-compact” part, it’s surprisingly easy to park even in tight spaces. Now we have my husband’s convertible for the “fun” car and my SUV for the “practical” car (for longer trips and packing more stuff).
Did you get a Forester like we did?
Randy – yes, a 2025 Subaru Forester Limited Hybrid. The only way to get the safety features I wanted was to go with the Limited options package.
Nice, we went with the Touring Hybrid. With the adaptive cruise control, I barely have to do more than steer!
Randy – Adaptive Cruise Control will kinda-sorta steer for you if you let it. I don’t trust it enough to take my hands off the wheel.
Me neither. I don’t like the feeling of wrestling with the steering wheel.
Which HP laptop did you buy?
HP OmniBook 7 Laptop
17-inch touchscreen
Intel Ulta 7 CPU
32 GB RAM
WIndow 11 Pro
1 TB drive
The Labor Day sale was $500 off with free shipping. It was custom built in Viet Nam and then shipped directly to me.
I can relate to much of what you say Dan, although car-wise I have fallen off the wagon, but for good reason, at least to me. In my mind, my car is worth every penny even though in the end it just gets me from A to B.
Yesterday while driving there was a Bentley SUV in front of us. Both Connie and I were amazed anyone would spend money on that vehicle. The least expensive of their SUVs start at about $237,000. There can’t be any reason for spending that other than showing off status.
I still don’t get the Jean thing and delight in kidding my granddaughters about their’s.
I have several old watches which don’t work and one Movado which drives me nuts because there are no numbers or marks to tell the time. I wear an Apple Watch 99% of the time.
I secretly yearn to buy a Rolex, but it will never happen. I’m too cheap and I know it would only be to show off while there are many better uses for my or anyone’s money.
I often wonder how much money a person must have to buy 1/4 million dollar cars and hundred thousand dollar watches. I also wonder if they have fully funded their 401k🤑
I don’t know if you truly fell off the wagon with your Mercedes. By your prior posts I have an idea about what you spent on it; you could have purchased a more expensive Mercedes.
That is true. I could, but never would spend twice what I did, especially when I know one of our sons can’t afford to replace his minivan with over 200,000 miles on it.
Last fall we bought what might possibly be our last car and went with a high end Toyota that cost $50K, as much as our first house. I thought we were being extravagant, but recently read that is the average cost for a new vehicle.
Also for years I always thought someday I’d buy Dom Perignon to celebrate a special occasion in my or one of my family members’ lives. Has never happened, and now I’m over it.
Thanks Dan. Some things really do matter, and the living and breathing ones are at the top of the list. Most other things – both material things, and financial ones (e.g., minimizing IRMAA) – we can decide how important (or not) to make them, and fewer is probably better.
Dan, great article. You just about sum up my whole life philosophy: nothing fancy required. I’m also stealing your “living and breathing” observation and will at some point be dropping it into a conversation. Of course, I will qualify by mentioning that a pretty smart guy once told me this.
A wise Irishman once told me, and I paraphrase, “it’s not just about having money, it’s knowing what to do with money”. I had that in my mind as I penned this post.
Here is a part Irishman who always felt the quest was not having showy, expensive things but the ability to have them.
Excellent post, Mr. Smith.