VanillaGorilla wrote in the Rant/Rave thread: Rave: do you ever see the guys with the super expensive Yeti coolers and wonder how someone could buy something like that? Well, I have three and earned two of them. 75 qt. 45 qt. 20 qt. Some things just ARE worth the extra money, no matter how extravagant they seem to the common observer. And no, I'm not talking about the obvious shit, like nice scotch, or a well-made car, or a good computer, or work boots or crap like that. Focus: What's your "Yeti cooler"? Alt. Focus: What extravagance do you not understand? Ask the question to the board, and if there's someone here that swears by it, they'll explain why it fits the "Yeti cooler" bill.
Rolex Paul Newman Daytona That shit is so fucking sexy I don't even care that it costs more than most cars. That kind of classic style is well worth it. Side bonus is that it would never decrease in value so at least if you had to resell it you could always make your investment back.
Re: Re: Trust me, it's worth it I don't understand why you would drop that kind of money on a watch, fucking makes zero sense to me. Yeti coolers kick ass, I just want the smaller one for my beer on hot days at the pool, still can't afford it though. One thing that is worth it to me is tools, if your going to do anything from auto repair to woodworking, good quality tools are well worth the money. Buying the cheapest shit from harbor freight and then getting pissed when it inevitably breaks the second time you use it is stupid.
1970 Buick Skylark Sometimes it's a burden but I'll never get and opportunity to replace it if I sell it so I keep it in the hopes that the post school debt period of my life will let me keep it forever.
Goalie equipment. Most of you would probably guess a set of leg pads to cost well under $1000, not so much. I buy the nice stuff, the stuff the pros wear. Why? Because its made better, performs better, more protective, last a fuck of a lot longer and I can specify small changes in the equipment for no up charge. I'm sure to many people it seems pointless but to me it makes perfect sense.
Hey motherfucker, they specifically said that stuff wasn't eligible. (and let's just be honest: you're jealous of my kickass shoes. Also, I just bought a pair of Red Wing workboots that had been discontinued. They had to be special ordered, but the last pair I had/have are totally wearable, and have lasted me since '07.) But anyway, I'll play the game in this "scrimp or splurge" thread: Optima batteries: http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/products/?gclid=COydteixnrYCFYGqPAodvV0ASA I've had the same Optima battery since 2005. I've changed it into a few different cars, and I've had nothing but good luck with it. It is completely sealed, shock resistant (I've been in two major accidents where the battery was hit, but it never leaked), and because it is sealed, you don't have to worry about battery terminal corrosion (I've serviced two cars this week that wouldn't start, and the only problem was terminal corrosion, so don't tell me that's never an issue.) The downside: Optima batteries costs about double what conventional lead/acid batteries cost. I decided to bite the bullet 8 years ago, and I haven't looked back since. My dad used to replace the battery in his truck every two or three years (and have terminal corrosion problems the whole time); I finally convinced him to get an Optima battery a couple of years ago, and he hasn't had any problems.
Travel. I've met very people that said, "Oh I wish I didn't spend that $X on traveling - I could have really used it on [ irresponsible gadgets, boring house improvements, stupid dress clothes, couch, boring crap ]." Now when I travel, I still do it on the cheap. Hostels, $1 street food, DIY mountain hiking, and the rest of the typical backpacker style cheapness are the regular. That said, I'll still pay for the flights vs buses, a few really good meals, scuba diving, and some of the premium stuff. To me, the memories, people, and the whole new perspective isn't something you can put a dollar amount on. That, and anything I plan on keeping for more than 10 years. Kitchen knives, household tools, suits, some furniture. AND TOILET PAPER, AMIRIGHT?
Dunno if this qualifies, but SmartWool socks. $17 for a pair of Goddamned socks that look just like any other hiking socks. But, they have lasted me 5 years in climates that go from nut soup hot to Worst Korean winter cold. I recently upgraded to their boxer briefs and it's like my favorite song rubbing against my junk all day...and for $45, they had damned well better.
HK pistols. My brother got two a few years back and they just rock. Feel absolutely beastly in your hands and shoot like a dream. They start around 800 which seems to be a tad high for most shooters. Ive already have a gun for just about every application and multiple pistols. So Im holding out and saving up for a HK P30 or maybe a HK USP compact. I might get crazy one day and buy me a HK416.
Luggage. I spent a good chunk of change on a 3-piece Rockland luggage set. You don't really appreciate it until you're rushing to catch a flight or if the TSA decides to take a peak inside and you have the TSA-approved lock on it. It maneuvers great and can take a beating. Alt. Focus: Car parts. Nice cars are one thing, but why the hell would anyone spend thousands to trick out a 91 Civic?
Dyson Pet Hair Vacuums. These fuckers are expensive compared to other vacuums, but let me tell you, as an owner of 3 constantly shedding pets, it is well worth the lofty price tag. I had an issue with it, called Dyson, and we went through the diagnostics. Couldn't fix it that way, so, get this, I took it to the UPS store and it shipped to them for FREE. They fixed it, had it back to me in a week, and it didn't cost a dime. I hate that English guy in the commercials, but the motherfucker can make a vacuum.
All-Clad cookware and Henkel knives. Both are so well made, they'll get passed on to our kids. I've had the knives for over 25 years and the pots/pans for 10. They're great.
I think I'll have to go with the OP. Most expensive thing I own is my watch: This, but brown leather: Also, to be honest, my dad bought it for me when I graduated boot camp...
Nice underwear, maybe in the $20-25 range. A well-fitting pair of boxer briefs can entirely change your outlook on the day -- not only does it feel like your package is getting a hug all day, you walk around with the knowledge that if you ever have to whip your pants off real fast, people are gonna be impressed. It's almost enough to make me bump into people holding hot coffee so it spills all over my pants.
I know jackasses the plunk down $65.00 for Reef Flip Flops with bottle openers on the bottom, one of those jackasses is me. I wear them 200-250 days a year and with 230 pounds pushing down on them the price is worth it.
Truf. These things last forever too. I had my last pair for going on 5 years with substantial summer time use. They never frayed or came apart and were finally worn down enough on the sole to think about getting new ones. I left them in my gym bag with a wet towel in my car last summer and the heat and humidity finally did them in. Quality product though maybe not the most comfortable sandal.
I initially have a problem spending a lot of money on clothes, but then if I do, I feel good about it. The thing I don't hesitate to spend money on is my TV, Audio Equipment and or when I buy a laptop every 2-3 years. I'm eventually going to drop serious cash on a watch, but I just believe my house needs to be the most comfortable place in the world to me. If I had more money, I'd probably drop ungodly amounts of money on a couch and bed.
One of these bitches (the chair), will be my second splurge in my first home after a 90 inch flatscreen.