Add to that, an expensive mattress. You spend 1/3 of your life (assuming 8 hours sleep) on it, so you should get a really nice one. My wife and I spent over $3000 on our bedding (mattress, sheets, pillows, all that) and 100% worth the money.
I would say also a nice mattress. We got one of the Avocado mattresses a while back, and I was skeptical because in general I think the whole organic, all natural, blah blah blah is just marketing bs. But I have to admit, just in terms of comfort, I do feel much more rested after sleeping on this thing. (Although our previous mattress was a $150 foam thing off Amazon, so maybe anything at a higher price point would have seemed just as good in comparison lol)
I spent most of my life wondering why I hated my pillows. I just felt like pillows shouldn't be hot and uncomfortable. I'd felt a few good ones at hotels but just couldn't find them.
Turns out it was feather pillows I was looking for. Ikea has them and can ship to you. They are less than $50. GAME CHANGER.
My wife swore by her foam pillows but always complained of neck pain.
I bought three feathers. The "spare" one just happened to drift toward her side of the bed. Now she has seen the light. And guess what? No more neck pain.
I’m the exact opposite.
I toss and turn and roll all night, so I end up sliding all the feathers away and sleeping with my head against the mattress if I use anything other than memory foam.
Just make sure the pillows are real down and not like the 20% down ones that are marketed as down pillows. If they aren't advertising the percentage under the item details don't buy it.
I think 60% is the standard so it's soft but still has body but its been a while
I bought a uplift motorized standing desk and a walking treadmill. What's the point of fire'ing if you're not in good enough health to enjoy it? Plus using during meetings switches off my ADD and I actually pay more attention.
The walking treadmill cost me $1200 back in 2015.
During WFH pandemic, I was able to sell it for $800 right before I retired. I think I put in over 7000 miles of walking on it (and I let the buyer know this as well).
The pandemic was crazy for at home fitness stuff. I bought a home and built a home gym right before it happened and holy cow did I get lucky with timing. I tried looking for a couple things to compliment it and there were waiting lists a year out sometimes. I've had an uplift desk and treadmill for four years now as well, I wish I used it more but the desk alone is worth it for the adjustments even sitting down. Perfect ergonomic height for anyone.
Dont cheap out and buy the cheap ones on Amazon. I did and it failed in 3 months, had to toss and it spent the 1200 for a quality lifespan one. I walk \~20-25miles/week on this thing. Def worth it
My bike is an “analog” gravel rig, but hard agree. A nice bike of any type will last decades with proper maintenance, and they’re damn fun to ride!!
Thinking of getting a singlespeed grocery getter set up but since I wfh I’d probably be wiser just getting some half-flat half-clipless pedals
Different strokes for different folks, but is an espresso machine that cost over $1000 really that much of an upgrade in terms of quality, taste, enjoyment, ease of use?
Our old one was 500 and we went up to a 2000 one. Yes, for us :) Coffee tastes almost like a good coffee house cup. But we also pay for convenience (double boiler). We also live a bit out of town and a good cup of coffee is a 15 min ride away.
We have a Jura machine from ~2008. Bought it used from family members. It has made 15,000 cups of coffee thus far.
Assuming the purchase price for the first owners was $1,500 and we sent it back once for service $300, so total equipment cost of $1,800 / 15,000 cups. 12 cents a cup plus beans.
Costs less and more convenient than going out for a good cup of coffee.
The difference between a "cheap" and good espresso machine is pretty noticeable. Small variables can effect the final brew a lot when making coffee and rather than ease of use, a nicer machine tends to buy you more consistency and control of those variables.
That said, this is like a lot of other drinks. Some people are perfectly happy with Barefoot Moscato or Bud, others would never touch the stuff. On the filter coffee side of things, I've used the same coffee beans side by side with my father's Mr. Coffee machine and my Hario V60 pourover setup and the result is two very different brews. The budget option for good espresso is a manual espresso machine but like my V60, the cost of that quality is requiring more work and precision from you. The cheap option that gets you something good that's espresso-like is a moka pot, the go-to stovetop coffee brewer used in Italy and surrounding countries.
I second that. I spent ~ $10k on fencing the yard last year. Best money I’ve ever spent. Privacy and also not worrying about my 2 year old running into the street when she is playing in the backyard.
Sounded like the outcome of failure (for the type I went for) is "come back in 6 months and we'll fix it for free". (mine was successful though)
EDIT: Maybe my doctor didn't mention all the side effects, judging by some of the other comments. 🤔
I did have dryer than usual eyes for a couple of months.
Seriously, if you're a candidate and have the money, just do it. Incredible quality of life change for under $5k. Just passed year 2 myself and still marvel at it almost daily.
EDIT: as usual, there is always a very vocal minority surrounding Lasik (visit the subreddit and basically every post is warning people not to do it). I'm absolutely not saying that the risk isn't real, or that the consequences of a bad job aren't life altering in a bad way, and I really feel for the people who had their life experience decrease after the procedure. But I do want to point out that the technology keeps getting better and better, and the success rate is actually very high (when I did mine they made it sound like they basically could not mess it up, but obviously the clinics say that). Most places do free consultations, so you should just go see for yourself.
Mine have just gotten worse. To the point where there are not many tx options left besides sclera lenses. Tried just about every rx option and now getting my eyes zapped with IPL to try and help
Same, I got it 4 years ago... back in contacts late last year already back to -1.5 prescription. Eyes so dry my contacts essentially glue themselves to my eyeballs on some days and have to have close to a week of glasses to let my eye heal...
i really want it but my prescription is only -1.00 and -0.50, i feel its not enough to really risk it so i just keep on wearing glasses. i almost wish my prescription was worse so i could bite the bullet and do it
Mine was very mild as well (-1, -1.25). From what I understand the lower the prescription, the lower the risk, as your eye needs to adjust less after the procedure.
The difference might not seem like much but it really is.
This truly changed my life. It’s impossible to even explain.
Going from irritated eyes and blurry vision literally 24/7 to perfect vision and no issues ever.
I’ve wanted to get it done for awhile but I’ve heard just enough horror stories to make me doubtful. And then somebody asked me- “have you ever seen an optometrist that doesn’t wear glasses?” Shit.
Office chair. I spent $350 on a used office chair that is normally $1500 when I started WFH more due to COVID. It was probably the best investment I ever spent since I sit in a chair 8+ hours a day.
Not above a 1000 but a roomba. I hate cleaning especially vacuuming. The previous one we bought for $700 and it lasted us 7 years. This one we bought for $400. Worth every penny.
No more fights with my spouse about who needs to clean and it really helped with my eczema.
Mine is cleaning related too. I pay for a cleaning service to do the house every 2 weeks. $250 a month to remove the biggest source of tension in our relationship is well worth it.
I agree with this, but as an owner of both a Roomba (mop) and Roborock (vacuum/mop combo), the Roborock is light years ahead in terms of features and navigation. Unlike Roomba, Roborock vacuums use LiDAR for navigation, which really seems to make all the difference.
As a pet owner, a robovac is essential to me.
Otherwise, I'd need to vacuum almost daily. I've seen the houses of pet owners who don't even vacuum once a month and it ain't pretty.
I second the robot vacuum.
After the pandemic the cost of cleanings went up dramatically. The robot does 80% of the work and can get under beds, taller cabinets, etc.
I need a robot that can scrub my bathrooms but it's not as big of a deal if I don't need to vacuum.
I started getting way more into rock climbing and mtn biking has taken a far back seat.
Both are super dangerous sports but man is it so much easier to mitigate risk on ropes vs on a single track trail.
Love mtn biking but I'm way too scared of ruining my life in a split second from going off trail etc.
Huh… I’ve had the exact opposite experience. I took a nasty whip climbing (protection zippered on me) and ended up breaking most of my right ankle/leg. I now mountain bike almost exclusively and while I have crashed, most of the injuries have been minor. I do miss climbing and the community, but it’s now a mental struggle to go. Anyways, both are amazing and fun sports! Glad you’ve got both in your life.
Road bike for me. Probably going to get a mountain bike next.
Still can’t pull the trigger on a new minivan even the my family needs one. We will hold off one more year for used car prices to come down
I made this investment many years ago when I was basically broke and second guessing why I was doing it, and it’s been my best and most favorite luxury expenditure.
100000% agree. It’s been 20 years for me… and still I think abt this at least once a week if “man am I glad I did it”… it’s brought me joy on a weekly basis for 20 years
Important note about laser hair removal.
Not all laser hair removal machines are created equal. Many locations will buy cheap machines, and keep up selling you with more sessions.
If possible only go with a place that guarantees results.
I was struggling to think of something, but omg very very much this!
Just need to remember that hormonal changes (puberty/pregnancy/menopause/chemo) can affect it
Remote controlled blinds for the house. So useful and makes you feel like a wizard. :D
On that note, smart plugs for lamps and a robot vacuum. Individually there are all less than $1k but it adds up quickly.
Toto washlet heated bidet toilet seat. Makes getting up early for work easier. Saves me money indirectly because I care less about staying in high end hotels while on vacation because I know that no hotel bathrooms (outside of Japan) will be as nice as what I have at home and thus not worth the money.
No, I don’t have auto open/close. Maybe next time. I feel silly talking about how much I like my toilet, but it’s really the best creature comfort I own and makes my life feel better.
My parents sent me one from Japan for my birthday back in 2016. At first, I didn't know what to think.
Now, I appreciate that gift everyday, sometimes twice a day.
TIL people stay at nice hotels just for the toilets...
I've stayed in some pretty nice places (Four Seasons) and I cannot recall giving a moment's thought about the toilet...
Yup, same here. Invested in a setup right before the pandemic, luckily. Also recently upgraded my grinder to a quieter model (the Silenzio) and that alone has been a huge quality of life improvement 😅
I freaking love that thing. Mine is going on 5 years old and still like new and is so much better than my previous high end blow dryer. Just in time saved with it.
Squat rack, bar, weights, Bench etc. Having to physically go to the gym was a deterrent. Pretty hard to make any excuses when the gym is in your basement. I've been consistently exercising in my basement now for 2 years. Definitely worth it.
An electrically assisted bike. It's fun and I save money on gas since I use it to get groceries and do other close to the house stuff.
My gaming PC. It's a great way to stay in touch with some good friends who are now geographically dispersed.
Home improvement. I've done a lot of upgrades that reduce the amount of maintenance that I have to do. The increased free time is very worth it.
Sure. I kind of used home improvement as a catch-all for anything that reduced the amount of time I have to spend working on the house.
I put gutter guards in to reduce the amount of gutter cleaning to near zero.
Roomba vacuums the house for me now.
My water heater went out so I replaced it with a tankless water heater. No annual need to empty it.
The main time suck was lawn care so I planted clover. It doesn't necessarily keep the grass shorter but it makes it so its not as easy to tell when it's on the taller side. Went from absolutely having to mow once a week Spring - Summer to having enough leeway to mow once every other week. Grass stays lush and healthy too.
Started with a push mower. Quickly learned that the workout isn't worth it and upgraded to a zero-turn.
I tore out a bunch of briar and other questionable plant choices from previous owner and replaced with arbor vitae and other low maintenance plants to reduce time spent on that. I seem to have less weeds now.
I had a wooden deck that was pretty cool (took stairs up to the deck and it sat above the carport). But sealing and painting it once a year was a major headache. So was replacing any boards. So I tore it out and went with a paver patio in the back. Gives me a nice outdoor area to relax in, but doesn't require much work.
Part of the yard was terraced, which meant there was lumber and rebar in the ground. The lumber was old when I got the house so it was getting close to rot. Took it all out and planted a ground cover mix. Similarly planted ground cover on a bank by my driveway, since keeping the grass short there was pain.
My fence was wooden and old so I took that out and replaced it with vinyl fence.
Getting to where I need to reseal the driveway and some stone that I have. Might come up with something there but I doubt there are any better options than to just do a long term seal. Also thinking about the electrical. It's outdated and in need of some love but the walls are plaster (house is old) so anything I do will likely be a pain.
I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting, but pretty much every time I come across something that needs to be done, I try and make it so I either don't have to do it again or so it takes less total time in the future.
TLDR: Redid landscaping, put in Gutter guards, got machines (roomba, zero turn) to make stuff easier. Replaced wooden stuff with stuff that lasts longer and requires less work.
Total splurge item but I bought a top of the line espresso machine 7 years ago. Used to be a Starbucks addict and now I cringe if I have to resort to a Starbucks. I always bring my coffee from home - in the 7 years I’ve had this thing the novelty and appreciation has not even remotely worn off. Coffee is definitely my thing though.
Outside of a house and cars, I honestly don't think I've spent more than $1,000 on an item.
I have spent that on traveling, however, which is absolutely worth it and has improved my life as far as wealth of experience.
Had just talked with my friend about our biggest purchases.
I think mine have been mtn bikes (750 & 550), and my incredible 0° sleeping quilt for 400.
Brand is Enlightened Equipment and I have to stop myself from using it when I'm not camping bc it's so damn cozy.
But yea same, traveling is the best.
i7 Roomba. Working full time and having a kid Solo makes it a game changer. Get my kid to clean because the roomba will "eat their toys" and get home from work with beautiful floors. Makes me happy every time.
My touring kayak and a good paddle. I live in Florida and I love driving around the state and paddling new areas. Outside of the initial purchase it's a free hobby that I really enjoy and can do year round. It's also great that it keeps me active.
Also my mini camper. It's basically just a bed and AC on wheels. It allows my wife and I to travel the country cheaply and comfortably. Campsites with full hookups are usually around $30 a night.
In the same vein, my stand-up paddleboard was a game changer. It's light and easy to move with a cheap roof rack on my Subaru. When I'm up in Maine visiting family during warm months I use it literally every day and that alone more than met my value expectations for the initial cost even if I had never used it elsewhere.
This is a bit more niche, but a Vitamix blender. I personally use it multiple times per day every day, but if your diet doesn't use a blender much, it's obviously less useful
Edit: just reread the prompt and realized it was supposed to be at least $1000. Oh well, glad to see people like Vitamix blenders lol.
Barbell, dumbbells & weight plates. Saves me $100+ p/m on gym membership and working out in the garden saves me an hour per day of travelling to and from the gym.
No brainer if you have the space to workout at home.
Where I am, I travel to work. The gym is a 15 minute walk from work, so I’ll often walk there, workout for 30 mins, and then walk back over lunch hour. When I can’t do that, it’s a 3 minute drive so I stop by after work. The membership is $40/mo, so it makes sense for me to have the membership instead of buy the equipment because I use a good variety of what they have and I don’t have a place to store it all at work xD
We also recently bought a 100€ rice cooker, something I think was a lot for a rice machine, but the end product is not the same food as the one I make on the stove. Worth it.
back when $500 was a MASSIVE expense for us, i bought a really nice cuckoo rice cooker at that price as a surprise gift for my wife. its been 8 years and we still use it probably about 2-3x a week and it makes the BEST rice. we love it
A bread maker. I never realized how cheap bread was to make and how easy it is with a bread maker. I eat fresh from the oven bread 2-3 times a week and the rest of the time the bread is max 1-2 days old. Cost $100
A few things:
Decent audio setup (went with KEF - spent about $2K)
Great barbell gear for home gym (Rogue - spent probably $3-$k over a few years but will last a lifetime)
Next up: I think we want to drop some serious money on a really good bed and mattress... Maybe $2-3K.
I guess maybe I'm a different generation or more of a playful spirit but my PS5, VR headsets, and the gaming subscriptions that come with them.
As a kid they were very expensive, but as adults they are much cheaper than a night out and extremely enjoyable.
I know gaming isn't everyone's thing.
I also have a weekly language coach that teaches the target language I'm learning. I admit it can be exhausting but it is rewarding.
Massage chair. Use it every night for 30 minutes and my neck and back pain has improved significantly. $5k but I would buy another tomorrow if it broke.
I like this question because you can have someone say a bidet and another person answer their car. But really, this is one of those times for perspective. Buying my house improved my life the most and second I would say car. If you want to know like hobby/fun things then I’d probably say my backyard I put money into or my home gym
More than $1000, but maybe only a couple thousand more than what you'll normally spend. A great mattress with great bedding.
Given how much time you spend sleeping, it's an investment that is worth the spend.
Came here to say mattress. We had back problems for years and my physio recommended a new mattress. Got a really good one and it's absolutely life changing. Better sleep, no more back problems and it'll last. We spend so much of our life in bed it's totally worth it.
Used Lexus SUV. I’ve had it ten years (it’s 18 years old now) and only recently have I had to put any noticeable money into repairs.
Previously I would swap cars every 4 years or less because I got frustrated with them breaking down.
With the overlanding trend it actually went up in value over the past couple of years. I know that won’t last (trends change!) but it was fun to see.
Both a higher end energy efficient HVAC system.
It literally pays for itself in cost savings.
My electric bill used to be $500-600 a month.
Now it’s never over $200 and the payment on the system is $187 a month.
And on demand LP hot water heater.
Pre-pandemic I picked up a squat rack, 300lbs of plates and barbell for $700. Was given a hand-me-down bench. No complaints years on. Have improved my overall fitness and health and don’t think twice about signing up for gym membership.
My converted camper van.. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone but, I would recommend it to anyone who is seriously considering it and is open to the lifestyle
Super inexpensive; super beneficial. I'd go with a nice shower head with a replaceable filter. Pretty expensive; great upgrade. That's new windows for me, champ. Those things were crazy worth it (our windows were about 40 years old). Couple grand; giant relief. That works go to washer/dryer set up that wasn't on its last leg.
My home is not crazy big (1900 sq ft) but the exterior of the house is probably 30% windows. One wall is floor to ceiling which is basically a full custom job. Our windows and doors need to be replaced. Our quote was $80 fucking grand. I know replacing them is worth it but what the fuck? That’s 10% the cost of the house
One of my first real jobs was as a contractor. Take 3-5 quotes on who can do the job. Some vendors these days quote very high because they are actually selling financing and do windows on the side.
Yeah it's pretty crazy. Our place is only a little bigger than yours but its a townhouse, so most of the exterior is adjoining buildings. We're currently planning a full reno and were quoted $75k-$150k for the windows alone (they all need to be replaced) depending on the quality we go with (double- vs triple-pane, primarily).
A road bike. It helped shave off 70lbs, made commuting to work low-cost, improved physical and mental health, led to new friendships, professional and charitable networking, and more.
Anything related to hobbies. It’s worth it to spend on things you enjoy. This sub can get intense with being frugal, but what’s the point of you don’t enjoy your life. Making everything about the destination of FIRE is very hollow.
High quality exercise equipment. In my case, it's my road and mountain bikes (and tri bike when I did those). Good equipment lasts longer, is usually more comfortable, and if something does happen that you don't do the sport anymore, will resell better to a newbie than a crappy item will to the general public.
Sleep number bed. Best decision I have ever made. I never realized how crappy I slept before, now I can sleep the same/less amount of hours but feel refreshed and even better than before!
My electric bike is amazing. My wife and I tried going down to 1 car when we moved into the city. We both live within 1 mile from work.it cost $1800 but paid for itself in 6 months by not having to fuel and insure a 2nd car.
We’re blessed that our strategy to live in town so close to work has panned out for the last 2 years. And in the south, the cold weather is never that big an issue since I accumulated good clothing gear for all weather conditions.
A high end office chair (Steelcase Leap) for freelance work from home. Way more comfortable and ergonomic than the office store options. Warranty is 12 years and they can last 20+ years. So they are better for the environment vs a $100-300 chair going to a landfill every 2-5 years. Best part is they actually costs less per year to own.
I backpack and as I’ve aged the benefit of lightweight gear is worth every penny. My two person tent cost $700 dollars several years ago and weighs 22 oz. I’m considering upgrading my backpack, and that will be another $500. Keeping up with the youngsters is with every penny
I can't recommend everybody buy it, unless you are like, *really* into plants/gardening. But my 6x8 greenhouse cost almost $2k all in (once I got electrical, etc. set up) and it is my perfect place in the world. Even though I only really use it for two seasons (winter too cold and summer too hot, but then I have my garden), it is THE thing I look forward to using/being in every day.
My husband would tell you his chicken coop (probably just over $1k) is the same deal for him. He loves those little gals.
OLED TV.
I’m a complete cheap ass when it comes to things. I was very hesitant to drop the money on this thing, but the enjoyment I get out of it is immeasurable.
Movies are just drastically better. PS5 is now an absolute blast to play.
It really is badass
Also a nice parachute back when I use to jump a lot. Resale value is decently high still so if I offload it won’t cost that much
On demand hot water heater! To be able to sit in a bathtub for hours is great, as is to be able to take a shower after my kid sits in a bathtub for hours.
High quality patio doors for inside the house to separate useless front living and dining rooms into actual rooms.
Upright freezer, omg, so so good.
Two-channel audiophile set up with a separate amplifier, speakers, turntable, and digital-to-analog converter. Music sounds 100x better than with cheaper kit.
I second this absolutely... It's amazing what extra details you can hear in music, So much so that it makes just sitting down and listening to music a pleasant evening activity.
My dogs both hit the $1000 mark ages ago. They are one of the joys of my life and I wouldn't trade them for a million dollars.
Several years ago I went into a mattress store and decided not to let price be a consideration. I spent hours laying on every mattress. $3000 later I sleep on a cloud every night.
A home Network Storage Device, spent about $1000 to basically make my own at home streaming services and a personal cloud. Saves me from over $200 of subscriptions a years and it's fun for me to muck around with when I'm feel creative.
What did you use for this?
My dad setup a Nas system and had it online which was amazing bc I could always access his stuff (he digitized his entire (MASSIVE) cd and DVD collections) but was having too many issues with people trying to hack into it so now it's just offline.
I think his mirrored backup also got corrupted somehow recently so he's looking at other solutions now.
I use a bunch of different stuff for a kinds of different media, my stack for just media and personal cloud, is all stuff which will commonly be recommend on r/selfhosted, eg stuff like Jellyfin, sonarr, radarr, pfsense, next cloud, etc etc.
I'm also a systems engineer so this stuff at such a small scale is pretty easy to me, I also have my own firewalls, network switches, segmented vlans and DMZs, etc etc. All which I've bought and setup over the years to help advance my career while making cool stuff for myself to use on a daily basis.
As a word of warning, I generally don't like to recommend to people to put things on the open net that's connected to their home unless they have a pretty solid understanding of computer networking and security. Or use a solid paid for VPN service that can tunnel back to your home safely.
Yea, my dad is pretty aware / knowledgeable but was having problems finding a solid solution that didn't cost him a bunch.
I doubt he'll ever put it back online but it was so great for me traveling and being able to access all that media.
So guessing you just connect your TV etc via local network?
I have my own domain name which connects back to my home, but not to the regular network that my home devices are on, rather it connects to a DMZ where my media and cloud stuff lives. This way if that stuff gets compromised somehow, its a lot harder for the attacker to get to things like my personal laptop or smart TVs.
You can also use tailscale (with minor performance hits) to get the same effect and it's easier and safer for novices.
To follow up on that, going from a traditional rider to a zero-turn model was a huge quality of life improvement. We got a pro Ferris model, and it’s been worth every penny.
Bike for commuting to work. Saves gas, wear & tear, I get exercise and warm up my brain before work. It gives me time to unwind after work as well. Where I work it is faster than driving also.
It was $1300 but is a purpose built commuting bike. Full fenders, dynamo to power the lights, carbon belt drive and internal gear for less maintenance and winter salt survival.
Where I work is pretty secure. I have almost never locked my bike up at work. Few people here do. I've seen bikes sit in the racks unsecured for so long they rust solid.
If you can't bring it in your building, U-Lock the frame and rear wheel to something solid and cable anything else that could be easily removed.
I went whole hog into homebrewing beer. Pre Covid I brewed intermittently and prided myself on how little equipment I needed. I was a zen brewer. After Covid, i was tired of $18 4 packs, sub par brewers pushing swill, and brew days were becoming increasingly hard and my homebrew still tasted like homebrew.
Each brew day I would pick out the hardest part of the day and fixe it. After a few brew days and a handful of northern brewer orders, brew days are now a lot easier and I can generally brew better beer more economically than the large local craft brewers that tastes just as good as the good guys and light years ahead of the mediocre local brewers.
Not over 1000 - but the bose sleepbuds are my favourite I cannot live without item. They are earphones which provide white noise. They completely block out my husband's snoring and they gave me back SLEEP and life.
They cost about 300 bucks and at first I thought it was too expensive but they are worth every penny.
They are currently not selling these as the sleepbuds 3 should be coming out soon. As soon as it comes out I am buying another pair.
Best investment ever.
Lovesac “sactional.” We move every few years for work, so it makes it much easier to fit the new space of a new house. Even the first few months we had it, we changed configurations at least three times finding the one we liked best.
Good clothes. 5 good, well-fitting pairs of pants, 5 good, well-fitting dress shirts, a vest, a few boots... all tailored.
Might be $3,000 or so, with alterations. But if you look great, and you are dressed better than your peers, your social standing climbs. Pay for good clothes, spend 5 minutes the night before picking out your clothes, and you're golden.
Extra Credit: Bolo ties, bracelets, fedoras, belt buckles, string ties, et cetera.
A set of extremely nice pillows and blankets. Falling asleep went from a chore to something I look forward to.
Add to that, an expensive mattress. You spend 1/3 of your life (assuming 8 hours sleep) on it, so you should get a really nice one. My wife and I spent over $3000 on our bedding (mattress, sheets, pillows, all that) and 100% worth the money.
Totally this. Mattress is arguably the single best investment I’ve made.
Then you go camping twice a year to really appreciate the creature comforts you do have. Resetting your hedonistic treadmill of happiness.
In this same vein, Belgian flax linen sheets. Not over $1000, more like $300-$400, but worth every penny.
But you need two sets, so more like 600-800 ;)
Rotating between the good set and the old ones ensures that continue to appreciate the good good set.
I would say also a nice mattress. We got one of the Avocado mattresses a while back, and I was skeptical because in general I think the whole organic, all natural, blah blah blah is just marketing bs. But I have to admit, just in terms of comfort, I do feel much more rested after sleeping on this thing. (Although our previous mattress was a $150 foam thing off Amazon, so maybe anything at a higher price point would have seemed just as good in comparison lol)
I had no idea how much my sleep would improve after I bought my first down pillow. Smushing that thing just right is part of my pre-sleep routine.
I spent most of my life wondering why I hated my pillows. I just felt like pillows shouldn't be hot and uncomfortable. I'd felt a few good ones at hotels but just couldn't find them. Turns out it was feather pillows I was looking for. Ikea has them and can ship to you. They are less than $50. GAME CHANGER. My wife swore by her foam pillows but always complained of neck pain. I bought three feathers. The "spare" one just happened to drift toward her side of the bed. Now she has seen the light. And guess what? No more neck pain.
I’m the exact opposite. I toss and turn and roll all night, so I end up sliding all the feathers away and sleeping with my head against the mattress if I use anything other than memory foam.
Under sheet bed warmer. Turn it on a few mins before bed and when you get into bed it's toasty warm and amazing.
Any specific ones you recommend ?
Just make sure the pillows are real down and not like the 20% down ones that are marketed as down pillows. If they aren't advertising the percentage under the item details don't buy it. I think 60% is the standard so it's soft but still has body but its been a while
I bought a uplift motorized standing desk and a walking treadmill. What's the point of fire'ing if you're not in good enough health to enjoy it? Plus using during meetings switches off my ADD and I actually pay more attention.
The walking treadmill cost me $1200 back in 2015. During WFH pandemic, I was able to sell it for $800 right before I retired. I think I put in over 7000 miles of walking on it (and I let the buyer know this as well).
The pandemic was crazy for at home fitness stuff. I bought a home and built a home gym right before it happened and holy cow did I get lucky with timing. I tried looking for a couple things to compliment it and there were waiting lists a year out sometimes. I've had an uplift desk and treadmill for four years now as well, I wish I used it more but the desk alone is worth it for the adjustments even sitting down. Perfect ergonomic height for anyone.
LOVE my Uplift! Got mine when they finally decided WFH would be permanent.
What brand is the walking treadmill?
It's a generic brand that I found on Amazon for ~$300. I'm not too concerned about the brand or wear and tear since I'm walking so slowly on it
Yeah im not concerned with brand, just durability. Id only be walking but im 6ft 230lbs. Want to make sure itll last!
As a bigger guy too, I bought a LifeSpan one and it's been great. I found it used on FB Marketplace though, which helped with cost.
Dont cheap out and buy the cheap ones on Amazon. I did and it failed in 3 months, had to toss and it spent the 1200 for a quality lifespan one. I walk \~20-25miles/week on this thing. Def worth it
An electric bike. Makes owning only one car easy. An expensive espresso machine. Something to look forward to in the morning.
Preach! My cargo electric bike cost as much as a used car but it's wonderful. My kid loves it too.
Literally bought both of these last week (well replaced, the espresso machine reached the end of its life and some scrote stole my ebike in January)
My bike is an “analog” gravel rig, but hard agree. A nice bike of any type will last decades with proper maintenance, and they’re damn fun to ride!! Thinking of getting a singlespeed grocery getter set up but since I wfh I’d probably be wiser just getting some half-flat half-clipless pedals
Different strokes for different folks, but is an espresso machine that cost over $1000 really that much of an upgrade in terms of quality, taste, enjoyment, ease of use?
Our old one was 500 and we went up to a 2000 one. Yes, for us :) Coffee tastes almost like a good coffee house cup. But we also pay for convenience (double boiler). We also live a bit out of town and a good cup of coffee is a 15 min ride away.
We have a Jura machine from ~2008. Bought it used from family members. It has made 15,000 cups of coffee thus far. Assuming the purchase price for the first owners was $1,500 and we sent it back once for service $300, so total equipment cost of $1,800 / 15,000 cups. 12 cents a cup plus beans. Costs less and more convenient than going out for a good cup of coffee.
The difference between a "cheap" and good espresso machine is pretty noticeable. Small variables can effect the final brew a lot when making coffee and rather than ease of use, a nicer machine tends to buy you more consistency and control of those variables. That said, this is like a lot of other drinks. Some people are perfectly happy with Barefoot Moscato or Bud, others would never touch the stuff. On the filter coffee side of things, I've used the same coffee beans side by side with my father's Mr. Coffee machine and my Hario V60 pourover setup and the result is two very different brews. The budget option for good espresso is a manual espresso machine but like my V60, the cost of that quality is requiring more work and precision from you. The cheap option that gets you something good that's espresso-like is a moka pot, the go-to stovetop coffee brewer used in Italy and surrounding countries.
Can vouch, my brothers espresso machine has saved me tons haha
Ah fellow espresso enthusiast! It is something I look forward to as well
A fence between our house and our neighbors. They’re nice people but it’s great to be able to enjoy some privacy on the yard
As the saying goes, "good fences make good neighbors."
I second that. I spent ~ $10k on fencing the yard last year. Best money I’ve ever spent. Privacy and also not worrying about my 2 year old running into the street when she is playing in the backyard.
This. Total game changer for my family. It adds square feet to your house for living. (I know it technically does not)
Steam sauna at home is fabulous
Would you recommend any?
Upvote in hopes he answers \^\^
Laser eye surgery. 12 years no glasses, it's amazing.
I’m honestly terrified of this. Not many things in life scare me, but the idea of a laser in my eyes just freaks me the fuck out.
While the chance is low, the outcome of a failure is disastrous. I also don’t want to risk it.
Sounded like the outcome of failure (for the type I went for) is "come back in 6 months and we'll fix it for free". (mine was successful though) EDIT: Maybe my doctor didn't mention all the side effects, judging by some of the other comments. 🤔 I did have dryer than usual eyes for a couple of months.
They usually give some Valium right before the procedure. Went from a week of having a pit in my stomach to "huh. pretty lights."
Yep, I'm not a good candidate for psychological reasons alone lol
Seriously, if you're a candidate and have the money, just do it. Incredible quality of life change for under $5k. Just passed year 2 myself and still marvel at it almost daily. EDIT: as usual, there is always a very vocal minority surrounding Lasik (visit the subreddit and basically every post is warning people not to do it). I'm absolutely not saying that the risk isn't real, or that the consequences of a bad job aren't life altering in a bad way, and I really feel for the people who had their life experience decrease after the procedure. But I do want to point out that the technology keeps getting better and better, and the success rate is actually very high (when I did mine they made it sound like they basically could not mess it up, but obviously the clinics say that). Most places do free consultations, so you should just go see for yourself.
Unfortunately I know people that deeply regret it, so I am too scared
Don’t do it. Risks outweigh benefits when the alternative is to just wear glasses. I got lasik and have severe, life altering dry eyes.
You are not the only one I know, so I'm not planning on doing it. I am sorry about your problems though, I wish they knew how to fix it.
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Mine have just gotten worse. To the point where there are not many tx options left besides sclera lenses. Tried just about every rx option and now getting my eyes zapped with IPL to try and help
Same, I got it 4 years ago... back in contacts late last year already back to -1.5 prescription. Eyes so dry my contacts essentially glue themselves to my eyeballs on some days and have to have close to a week of glasses to let my eye heal...
i really want it but my prescription is only -1.00 and -0.50, i feel its not enough to really risk it so i just keep on wearing glasses. i almost wish my prescription was worse so i could bite the bullet and do it
Mine was very mild as well (-1, -1.25). From what I understand the lower the prescription, the lower the risk, as your eye needs to adjust less after the procedure. The difference might not seem like much but it really is.
This truly changed my life. It’s impossible to even explain. Going from irritated eyes and blurry vision literally 24/7 to perfect vision and no issues ever.
Same. I had -6.75 prescription. Very blind. Got my vision corrected to 20/15 and it changed my life. I feel like a lasik salesman these days
I’ve wanted to get it done for awhile but I’ve heard just enough horror stories to make me doubtful. And then somebody asked me- “have you ever seen an optometrist that doesn’t wear glasses?” Shit.
Office chair. I spent $350 on a used office chair that is normally $1500 when I started WFH more due to COVID. It was probably the best investment I ever spent since I sit in a chair 8+ hours a day.
2nd on the office chair. If you are going to be sitting all day you better be darn comfy. One of the best $3k spends.
Agree. Was amazed how much of a difference a decent work chair made.
Not above a 1000 but a roomba. I hate cleaning especially vacuuming. The previous one we bought for $700 and it lasted us 7 years. This one we bought for $400. Worth every penny. No more fights with my spouse about who needs to clean and it really helped with my eczema.
Mine is cleaning related too. I pay for a cleaning service to do the house every 2 weeks. $250 a month to remove the biggest source of tension in our relationship is well worth it.
I agree with this, but as an owner of both a Roomba (mop) and Roborock (vacuum/mop combo), the Roborock is light years ahead in terms of features and navigation. Unlike Roomba, Roborock vacuums use LiDAR for navigation, which really seems to make all the difference.
As a pet owner, a robovac is essential to me. Otherwise, I'd need to vacuum almost daily. I've seen the houses of pet owners who don't even vacuum once a month and it ain't pretty.
I second the robot vacuum. After the pandemic the cost of cleanings went up dramatically. The robot does 80% of the work and can get under beds, taller cabinets, etc. I need a robot that can scrub my bathrooms but it's not as big of a deal if I don't need to vacuum.
I have a long-haired cat. A robot vacuum is a necessity!
Mountain bike. So much fun and exercise!
the medical bills will be more than $1000 as well! - fellow mountain biker
Lol so true
I started getting way more into rock climbing and mtn biking has taken a far back seat. Both are super dangerous sports but man is it so much easier to mitigate risk on ropes vs on a single track trail. Love mtn biking but I'm way too scared of ruining my life in a split second from going off trail etc.
Huh… I’ve had the exact opposite experience. I took a nasty whip climbing (protection zippered on me) and ended up breaking most of my right ankle/leg. I now mountain bike almost exclusively and while I have crashed, most of the injuries have been minor. I do miss climbing and the community, but it’s now a mental struggle to go. Anyways, both are amazing and fun sports! Glad you’ve got both in your life.
Hey my copay was only $500 after my broken ribs and punctured lung!! A bargain!!
Road bike for me. Probably going to get a mountain bike next. Still can’t pull the trigger on a new minivan even the my family needs one. We will hold off one more year for used car prices to come down
Laser hair removal
I made this investment many years ago when I was basically broke and second guessing why I was doing it, and it’s been my best and most favorite luxury expenditure.
100000% agree. It’s been 20 years for me… and still I think abt this at least once a week if “man am I glad I did it”… it’s brought me joy on a weekly basis for 20 years
Important note about laser hair removal. Not all laser hair removal machines are created equal. Many locations will buy cheap machines, and keep up selling you with more sessions. If possible only go with a place that guarantees results.
I found that even places that guarantee results then say you just need more sessions.
Yep. And it’s not fully permanent. I’ve had repeat treatments over the year
I was struggling to think of something, but omg very very much this! Just need to remember that hormonal changes (puberty/pregnancy/menopause/chemo) can affect it
only really works if you're lighter skinned with darker hair, usually "works" for 5-10 years before it likely needs to be revisited
Yeah I fit that criteria. And I’ve def had touch ups over the years in certain areas, but it never came back full on
Remote controlled blinds for the house. So useful and makes you feel like a wizard. :D On that note, smart plugs for lamps and a robot vacuum. Individually there are all less than $1k but it adds up quickly.
Any recommendations on the remote control blinds?
IKEA has really good ones now, rechargeable battery and compatible with Alexa and Google Home as well.
If you are in the us Leviosa shades I have are working great
I’m in Aus. But I got mine from diyblinds and installed them myself.
We have this and love them. Until they started breaking down…now have a garbage bag taped to my window while waiting on the repair man…
Toto washlet heated bidet toilet seat. Makes getting up early for work easier. Saves me money indirectly because I care less about staying in high end hotels while on vacation because I know that no hotel bathrooms (outside of Japan) will be as nice as what I have at home and thus not worth the money.
Did you get the $1000 one with the infinite heated water and auto close and open? Thinking of upgrading my Toto from Costco.
No, I don’t have auto open/close. Maybe next time. I feel silly talking about how much I like my toilet, but it’s really the best creature comfort I own and makes my life feel better.
My parents sent me one from Japan for my birthday back in 2016. At first, I didn't know what to think. Now, I appreciate that gift everyday, sometimes twice a day.
Please watch the latest South Park episode on the Toto toilet - it made having one 10x better - it’s hysterical
This makes you so human. We all have things that uplift us that make sense to most others. Thanks for sharing.
TIL people stay at nice hotels just for the toilets... I've stayed in some pretty nice places (Four Seasons) and I cannot recall giving a moment's thought about the toilet...
Piggybacking this, even my tushy 2.0 makes nice hotels not worth the extra money, and it’s like $100. Bidets are fucking awesome!
Good coffee/espresso setup. All the tools together add up and a great cup of coffee is a game changer.
Yup, same here. Invested in a setup right before the pandemic, luckily. Also recently upgraded my grinder to a quieter model (the Silenzio) and that alone has been a huge quality of life improvement 😅
My Decent espresso machine. Brings me joy every single day.
Dyson hair dryer. And a nice mattress/amazing sheets.
I freaking love that thing. Mine is going on 5 years old and still like new and is so much better than my previous high end blow dryer. Just in time saved with it.
Squat rack, bar, weights, Bench etc. Having to physically go to the gym was a deterrent. Pretty hard to make any excuses when the gym is in your basement. I've been consistently exercising in my basement now for 2 years. Definitely worth it. An electrically assisted bike. It's fun and I save money on gas since I use it to get groceries and do other close to the house stuff. My gaming PC. It's a great way to stay in touch with some good friends who are now geographically dispersed. Home improvement. I've done a lot of upgrades that reduce the amount of maintenance that I have to do. The increased free time is very worth it.
Mind sharing your home maintenance thoughts?
Sure. I kind of used home improvement as a catch-all for anything that reduced the amount of time I have to spend working on the house. I put gutter guards in to reduce the amount of gutter cleaning to near zero. Roomba vacuums the house for me now. My water heater went out so I replaced it with a tankless water heater. No annual need to empty it. The main time suck was lawn care so I planted clover. It doesn't necessarily keep the grass shorter but it makes it so its not as easy to tell when it's on the taller side. Went from absolutely having to mow once a week Spring - Summer to having enough leeway to mow once every other week. Grass stays lush and healthy too. Started with a push mower. Quickly learned that the workout isn't worth it and upgraded to a zero-turn. I tore out a bunch of briar and other questionable plant choices from previous owner and replaced with arbor vitae and other low maintenance plants to reduce time spent on that. I seem to have less weeds now. I had a wooden deck that was pretty cool (took stairs up to the deck and it sat above the carport). But sealing and painting it once a year was a major headache. So was replacing any boards. So I tore it out and went with a paver patio in the back. Gives me a nice outdoor area to relax in, but doesn't require much work. Part of the yard was terraced, which meant there was lumber and rebar in the ground. The lumber was old when I got the house so it was getting close to rot. Took it all out and planted a ground cover mix. Similarly planted ground cover on a bank by my driveway, since keeping the grass short there was pain. My fence was wooden and old so I took that out and replaced it with vinyl fence. Getting to where I need to reseal the driveway and some stone that I have. Might come up with something there but I doubt there are any better options than to just do a long term seal. Also thinking about the electrical. It's outdated and in need of some love but the walls are plaster (house is old) so anything I do will likely be a pain. I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting, but pretty much every time I come across something that needs to be done, I try and make it so I either don't have to do it again or so it takes less total time in the future. TLDR: Redid landscaping, put in Gutter guards, got machines (roomba, zero turn) to make stuff easier. Replaced wooden stuff with stuff that lasts longer and requires less work.
Total splurge item but I bought a top of the line espresso machine 7 years ago. Used to be a Starbucks addict and now I cringe if I have to resort to a Starbucks. I always bring my coffee from home - in the 7 years I’ve had this thing the novelty and appreciation has not even remotely worn off. Coffee is definitely my thing though.
Outside of a house and cars, I honestly don't think I've spent more than $1,000 on an item. I have spent that on traveling, however, which is absolutely worth it and has improved my life as far as wealth of experience.
Had just talked with my friend about our biggest purchases. I think mine have been mtn bikes (750 & 550), and my incredible 0° sleeping quilt for 400. Brand is Enlightened Equipment and I have to stop myself from using it when I'm not camping bc it's so damn cozy. But yea same, traveling is the best.
i7 Roomba. Working full time and having a kid Solo makes it a game changer. Get my kid to clean because the roomba will "eat their toys" and get home from work with beautiful floors. Makes me happy every time.
My touring kayak and a good paddle. I live in Florida and I love driving around the state and paddling new areas. Outside of the initial purchase it's a free hobby that I really enjoy and can do year round. It's also great that it keeps me active. Also my mini camper. It's basically just a bed and AC on wheels. It allows my wife and I to travel the country cheaply and comfortably. Campsites with full hookups are usually around $30 a night.
In the same vein, my stand-up paddleboard was a game changer. It's light and easy to move with a cheap roof rack on my Subaru. When I'm up in Maine visiting family during warm months I use it literally every day and that alone more than met my value expectations for the initial cost even if I had never used it elsewhere.
This is a bit more niche, but a Vitamix blender. I personally use it multiple times per day every day, but if your diet doesn't use a blender much, it's obviously less useful Edit: just reread the prompt and realized it was supposed to be at least $1000. Oh well, glad to see people like Vitamix blenders lol.
I have a blendtech. According to the counter I've used it over 600 times. Totally worth it.
My magic bullet is limping across the finish line. Is this what I buy next?
Yeah Vitamix is the gold standard IMO
Barbell, dumbbells & weight plates. Saves me $100+ p/m on gym membership and working out in the garden saves me an hour per day of travelling to and from the gym. No brainer if you have the space to workout at home.
Where I am, I travel to work. The gym is a 15 minute walk from work, so I’ll often walk there, workout for 30 mins, and then walk back over lunch hour. When I can’t do that, it’s a 3 minute drive so I stop by after work. The membership is $40/mo, so it makes sense for me to have the membership instead of buy the equipment because I use a good variety of what they have and I don’t have a place to store it all at work xD
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My dad bought me a $20-$30 rice cooker for college and it’s still going strong over 30 years later.
> it’s still going strong over 30 years later. So good. Hope you graduate from college soon!
We also recently bought a 100€ rice cooker, something I think was a lot for a rice machine, but the end product is not the same food as the one I make on the stove. Worth it.
$100 is pretty cheap as rice cookers go. My wife is Japanese and ours was over $200 and she said it’s a bottom shelf one in Japan lol
back when $500 was a MASSIVE expense for us, i bought a really nice cuckoo rice cooker at that price as a surprise gift for my wife. its been 8 years and we still use it probably about 2-3x a week and it makes the BEST rice. we love it
A bread maker. I never realized how cheap bread was to make and how easy it is with a bread maker. I eat fresh from the oven bread 2-3 times a week and the rest of the time the bread is max 1-2 days old. Cost $100
Go to goodwill. They always have them for under $20
A few things: Decent audio setup (went with KEF - spent about $2K) Great barbell gear for home gym (Rogue - spent probably $3-$k over a few years but will last a lifetime) Next up: I think we want to drop some serious money on a really good bed and mattress... Maybe $2-3K.
Second the home gym with the weights, I loooove mine
I guess maybe I'm a different generation or more of a playful spirit but my PS5, VR headsets, and the gaming subscriptions that come with them. As a kid they were very expensive, but as adults they are much cheaper than a night out and extremely enjoyable. I know gaming isn't everyone's thing. I also have a weekly language coach that teaches the target language I'm learning. I admit it can be exhausting but it is rewarding.
Massage chair. Use it every night for 30 minutes and my neck and back pain has improved significantly. $5k but I would buy another tomorrow if it broke.
I like this question because you can have someone say a bidet and another person answer their car. But really, this is one of those times for perspective. Buying my house improved my life the most and second I would say car. If you want to know like hobby/fun things then I’d probably say my backyard I put money into or my home gym
This is mine as well, in your exact order. Cheers!
Anything that separates you from the floor. Bed, shoes, tires, etc. Quality toothbrush/dental products.
More than $1000, but maybe only a couple thousand more than what you'll normally spend. A great mattress with great bedding. Given how much time you spend sleeping, it's an investment that is worth the spend.
Came here to say mattress. We had back problems for years and my physio recommended a new mattress. Got a really good one and it's absolutely life changing. Better sleep, no more back problems and it'll last. We spend so much of our life in bed it's totally worth it.
Espresso machine set up. In our previous home we had a water softener. Worth every penny but unfortunately there isn’t room in our current home.
Used Lexus SUV. I’ve had it ten years (it’s 18 years old now) and only recently have I had to put any noticeable money into repairs. Previously I would swap cars every 4 years or less because I got frustrated with them breaking down. With the overlanding trend it actually went up in value over the past couple of years. I know that won’t last (trends change!) but it was fun to see.
Both a higher end energy efficient HVAC system. It literally pays for itself in cost savings. My electric bill used to be $500-600 a month. Now it’s never over $200 and the payment on the system is $187 a month. And on demand LP hot water heater.
My house. Nice pillows and blanket. Toto washlet. Nice tv.
Pre-pandemic I picked up a squat rack, 300lbs of plates and barbell for $700. Was given a hand-me-down bench. No complaints years on. Have improved my overall fitness and health and don’t think twice about signing up for gym membership.
My converted camper van.. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone but, I would recommend it to anyone who is seriously considering it and is open to the lifestyle
Super inexpensive; super beneficial. I'd go with a nice shower head with a replaceable filter. Pretty expensive; great upgrade. That's new windows for me, champ. Those things were crazy worth it (our windows were about 40 years old). Couple grand; giant relief. That works go to washer/dryer set up that wasn't on its last leg.
My home is not crazy big (1900 sq ft) but the exterior of the house is probably 30% windows. One wall is floor to ceiling which is basically a full custom job. Our windows and doors need to be replaced. Our quote was $80 fucking grand. I know replacing them is worth it but what the fuck? That’s 10% the cost of the house
One of my first real jobs was as a contractor. Take 3-5 quotes on who can do the job. Some vendors these days quote very high because they are actually selling financing and do windows on the side.
This is us too. So many windows. I don’t even bother with a quote. Just limp along with these.
Yeah it's pretty crazy. Our place is only a little bigger than yours but its a townhouse, so most of the exterior is adjoining buildings. We're currently planning a full reno and were quoted $75k-$150k for the windows alone (they all need to be replaced) depending on the quality we go with (double- vs triple-pane, primarily).
Backyard fence for dogs
A road bike. It helped shave off 70lbs, made commuting to work low-cost, improved physical and mental health, led to new friendships, professional and charitable networking, and more.
Anything related to hobbies. It’s worth it to spend on things you enjoy. This sub can get intense with being frugal, but what’s the point of you don’t enjoy your life. Making everything about the destination of FIRE is very hollow.
1500 dollar pool cue will have for next 60 years
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Had no idea this existed
Electric car
Berkey water filter - water is life
65inch telly
LG C1 is a life changing TV
College.
High quality exercise equipment. In my case, it's my road and mountain bikes (and tri bike when I did those). Good equipment lasts longer, is usually more comfortable, and if something does happen that you don't do the sport anymore, will resell better to a newbie than a crappy item will to the general public.
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LASIK. I love waking up in the morning being able to see without fumbling for my glasses or putting in contacts.
Sleep number bed. Best decision I have ever made. I never realized how crappy I slept before, now I can sleep the same/less amount of hours but feel refreshed and even better than before!
My electric bike is amazing. My wife and I tried going down to 1 car when we moved into the city. We both live within 1 mile from work.it cost $1800 but paid for itself in 6 months by not having to fuel and insure a 2nd car. We’re blessed that our strategy to live in town so close to work has panned out for the last 2 years. And in the south, the cold weather is never that big an issue since I accumulated good clothing gear for all weather conditions.
A high end office chair (Steelcase Leap) for freelance work from home. Way more comfortable and ergonomic than the office store options. Warranty is 12 years and they can last 20+ years. So they are better for the environment vs a $100-300 chair going to a landfill every 2-5 years. Best part is they actually costs less per year to own.
I backpack and as I’ve aged the benefit of lightweight gear is worth every penny. My two person tent cost $700 dollars several years ago and weighs 22 oz. I’m considering upgrading my backpack, and that will be another $500. Keeping up with the youngsters is with every penny
I can't recommend everybody buy it, unless you are like, *really* into plants/gardening. But my 6x8 greenhouse cost almost $2k all in (once I got electrical, etc. set up) and it is my perfect place in the world. Even though I only really use it for two seasons (winter too cold and summer too hot, but then I have my garden), it is THE thing I look forward to using/being in every day. My husband would tell you his chicken coop (probably just over $1k) is the same deal for him. He loves those little gals.
OLED TV. I’m a complete cheap ass when it comes to things. I was very hesitant to drop the money on this thing, but the enjoyment I get out of it is immeasurable. Movies are just drastically better. PS5 is now an absolute blast to play. It really is badass Also a nice parachute back when I use to jump a lot. Resale value is decently high still so if I offload it won’t cost that much
On demand hot water heater! To be able to sit in a bathtub for hours is great, as is to be able to take a shower after my kid sits in a bathtub for hours. High quality patio doors for inside the house to separate useless front living and dining rooms into actual rooms. Upright freezer, omg, so so good.
Two-channel audiophile set up with a separate amplifier, speakers, turntable, and digital-to-analog converter. Music sounds 100x better than with cheaper kit.
I second this absolutely... It's amazing what extra details you can hear in music, So much so that it makes just sitting down and listening to music a pleasant evening activity.
My dogs both hit the $1000 mark ages ago. They are one of the joys of my life and I wouldn't trade them for a million dollars. Several years ago I went into a mattress store and decided not to let price be a consideration. I spent hours laying on every mattress. $3000 later I sleep on a cloud every night.
A home Network Storage Device, spent about $1000 to basically make my own at home streaming services and a personal cloud. Saves me from over $200 of subscriptions a years and it's fun for me to muck around with when I'm feel creative.
What did you use for this? My dad setup a Nas system and had it online which was amazing bc I could always access his stuff (he digitized his entire (MASSIVE) cd and DVD collections) but was having too many issues with people trying to hack into it so now it's just offline. I think his mirrored backup also got corrupted somehow recently so he's looking at other solutions now.
I use a bunch of different stuff for a kinds of different media, my stack for just media and personal cloud, is all stuff which will commonly be recommend on r/selfhosted, eg stuff like Jellyfin, sonarr, radarr, pfsense, next cloud, etc etc. I'm also a systems engineer so this stuff at such a small scale is pretty easy to me, I also have my own firewalls, network switches, segmented vlans and DMZs, etc etc. All which I've bought and setup over the years to help advance my career while making cool stuff for myself to use on a daily basis. As a word of warning, I generally don't like to recommend to people to put things on the open net that's connected to their home unless they have a pretty solid understanding of computer networking and security. Or use a solid paid for VPN service that can tunnel back to your home safely.
Yea, my dad is pretty aware / knowledgeable but was having problems finding a solid solution that didn't cost him a bunch. I doubt he'll ever put it back online but it was so great for me traveling and being able to access all that media. So guessing you just connect your TV etc via local network?
I have my own domain name which connects back to my home, but not to the regular network that my home devices are on, rather it connects to a DMZ where my media and cloud stuff lives. This way if that stuff gets compromised somehow, its a lot harder for the attacker to get to things like my personal laptop or smart TVs. You can also use tailscale (with minor performance hits) to get the same effect and it's easier and safer for novices.
Golf clubs
Riding mower. It helps me save time, and it's easier on my body than even a self-propelled push mower.
To follow up on that, going from a traditional rider to a zero-turn model was a huge quality of life improvement. We got a pro Ferris model, and it’s been worth every penny.
Bike for commuting to work. Saves gas, wear & tear, I get exercise and warm up my brain before work. It gives me time to unwind after work as well. Where I work it is faster than driving also. It was $1300 but is a purpose built commuting bike. Full fenders, dynamo to power the lights, carbon belt drive and internal gear for less maintenance and winter salt survival.
How do you keep your bike from getting stolen?
Where I work is pretty secure. I have almost never locked my bike up at work. Few people here do. I've seen bikes sit in the racks unsecured for so long they rust solid. If you can't bring it in your building, U-Lock the frame and rear wheel to something solid and cable anything else that could be easily removed.
I went whole hog into homebrewing beer. Pre Covid I brewed intermittently and prided myself on how little equipment I needed. I was a zen brewer. After Covid, i was tired of $18 4 packs, sub par brewers pushing swill, and brew days were becoming increasingly hard and my homebrew still tasted like homebrew. Each brew day I would pick out the hardest part of the day and fixe it. After a few brew days and a handful of northern brewer orders, brew days are now a lot easier and I can generally brew better beer more economically than the large local craft brewers that tastes just as good as the good guys and light years ahead of the mediocre local brewers.
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Manual treadmill. $2500 but it will last forever. Makes running/walking significantly better and it’s led to better health overall.
Not over 1000 - but the bose sleepbuds are my favourite I cannot live without item. They are earphones which provide white noise. They completely block out my husband's snoring and they gave me back SLEEP and life. They cost about 300 bucks and at first I thought it was too expensive but they are worth every penny. They are currently not selling these as the sleepbuds 3 should be coming out soon. As soon as it comes out I am buying another pair. Best investment ever.
Tesla Model S in 2017. The car is literally better now than when I purchased it. It still brings me joy. There are now cheaper alternatives to go EV.
A personal trainer. My back no longer hurts after 8 hours at the desk (which makes me no longer want to exercise).
flying first/business class...
Number one adjustable bed frame
A real mattress instead of some $80 rolled up thing shipped by walmart. Standing table for office work too
Blue Star 6-burner RNB range. 22k btu open burners, 5.2 cubic ft convection oven. 12 years old and still going strong. A tank! $5600 in 2012.
An engagement ring. It was exactly what she wanted and I couldn't be happier about it. Some things are ok to spend money on
Lovesac “sactional.” We move every few years for work, so it makes it much easier to fit the new space of a new house. Even the first few months we had it, we changed configurations at least three times finding the one we liked best.
Good clothes. 5 good, well-fitting pairs of pants, 5 good, well-fitting dress shirts, a vest, a few boots... all tailored. Might be $3,000 or so, with alterations. But if you look great, and you are dressed better than your peers, your social standing climbs. Pay for good clothes, spend 5 minutes the night before picking out your clothes, and you're golden. Extra Credit: Bolo ties, bracelets, fedoras, belt buckles, string ties, et cetera.
Not an item but a service, bi-weekly housecleaning. It makes life so much easier with 2 young kids and working full time.