Simple Pleasures
I was cleaning up my basement and realized the best things I’ve bought were simple and affordable, and have provided years of entertainment.
Here’s my list:
- A pair of Hi-tech hiking boots. Cost: $65. Age: 5 years.
- A Cannondale mountain bike. Cost $250. Age: 7 years.
- A Wilson Basketball. Cost $30. Age: 4 years.
- A Martin acoustic guitar. Cost $350. Age: 10 years.
The great thing about this list is that pretty much anybody can afford all four or at least one of the four. How easy it is to strap on a pair of hiking shoes and go for a zen journey into the wilderness. How nice it is to go for a ride down the back roads without a care in the world. There are community centers all around with indoor gyms, which are especially convenient during the winter months. Finally, nothing beats strumming that new tune until your fingers go numb.
Maybe it’s true. The best things in life are free, or close to it! It makes me happy knowing that if I ever had to go back to my old McDonald’s job again, my leisure activities wouldn’t decline as precipitously as my income.
Readers, what are the inexpensive things you like to do? What are the affordable things you’ve bought that have provided you years of enjoyment? Have a great weekend!
Best,
RB
Financial Samurai
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My wife and I really enjoy just going to the public library and reading the newspaper and magazines. They even have computer stations so we can check out your latest posts! :)
Up in Tahoe, beautiful hikes are abundant. We try and go on a different trail at least twice a week. And at the summit, we take in the views and take a deep breath. It’s beautiful up here.
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I like to do Yoga in the morning. Bought a DVD by Rodney Yee, and switch it on at least 3 times a week. DVD cost was $20 bucks and i’ve had it for a year. Totally worth it!
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My most cherished, and inexpensive item is my digital camera. Cost me $150 bucks, and I’ve had it for 5 years. Takes great macro pictures, and unless i want to make a print out, it costs nothing.
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I like going to the beach on a hot summer day. It’s basically free.
I also enjoy poker (far from free when up play for money, but luckily for me profitable) but the chip set was only like $30 and will last me for years (already has for over 4 years!).
Running is a fairly cheap activity that I enjoy a few times a week pretty much year-round.
The library is also a place I get tons of free dvds, cds, and books that keep me busy for hours and hours.
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There are 2 things that I’ve purchased this year that I think will make it into my “lifetime achievement” category as far as continued usefulness go:
1. My iPod Touch. This is my first Apple buy, and I’m hooked. It’s just so useful. E-Mail, alarm clock, web browser, music for my person and the car, notepad, stock tracker and loads of other things.
2. My slow cooker. I love the fact I can put it on before I leave for work and have wonderful hot food cooked to perfection when I get home!
Neither were particularly expensive in the grand scheme of things, and yet do nothing but add to my life.
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admin Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
@ Lee – Ahhh, the iPod Touch. I have one that came with the Macbook 13″ Pro laptop I bought last week for free. I still haven’t decided whether I will keep the computer due to my promise to not buy anything superfluous this month. I don’t want to break my promise! I didn’t realize the iPod Touch did e-mail…. hmmm, I may need to rethink the return!
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I have my Touch syched to my Google Apps email, along with the Google Calendar. Those two functions alone are worth the purchase price of the iPod to me. Coupled with everything else it does and it is quite literally (to me) worth its weight in gold!
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admin Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Gotcha Lee. Thanks for the input!
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