What's the stupidest thing you're lusting after right now?

[partgypsy]

Quality stainless steel pots and pans (All-clad or Calphalon). I'm finally ditching the nonstick stuff after years of use now that the coating is starting to flake off. I've replaced 4 pieces so far and I'm never going back.

Nonstick is not needed for all applications. All my pots and pans are inexpensive stainless steel, with a couple exceptions.  I do have a small nonstick pan which i use for cooking eggs that I replace periodically, and a nonstick "griddle" for pancakes. I also have a hand me down heavy cast iron skillet, which is really useful and essentially non-stick. While it is certainly prettier than what I'm using, I'm not sold that more expensive cookware = better.

[nkt0]

Quality stainless steel pots and pans (All-clad or Calphalon). I'm finally ditching the nonstick stuff after years of use now that the coating is starting to flake off. I've replaced 4 pieces so far and I'm never going back.

Nonstick is not needed for all applications. All my pots and pans are inexpensive stainless steel, with a couple exceptions.  I do have a small nonstick pan which i use for cooking eggs that I replace periodically, and a nonstick "griddle" for pancakes. I also have a hand me down heavy cast iron skillet, which is really useful and essentially non-stick. While it is certainly prettier than what I'm using, I'm not sold that more expensive cookware = better.

You can often find cast iron stuff at thrift stores for pretty cheap. Lasts forever and great to cook with. We also have invested in some new  blue steel pans that have similar no-stick properties to traditional teflon-coated cookware without the carcinogens. They were pricier than the cast iron, but if properly cared for, should last forever.

[partgypsy]

The cast iron skillet I have is hand me down and in awesome shape. I think you are better off finding at an estate sale, etc an old skillet even if rusty, and re-conditioning it, than a newer bumpy cast iron skillet.

https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/12/how-to-restore-vintage-cast-iron-cookware.html

[DreamFIRE]

I haven't lusted after anything lately, but I recently saw a log home on 9 acres with some good distance between the two  neighboring homes, nice privacy from trees, no railroad tracks within miles, no airport within 15 miles, and situated at the end of a long private drive from a lightly traveled rural blacktop road.  Nice size rooms, plus a basement, and an attached 2 car garage.   I couldn't help but lust after it, but it's nowhere near where I live currently, and I'm not sure it will even fit my uncertain FIRE plans for next year, not to mention being "more house" than I need, even though I could afford it.  It doesn't cost me anything to dream, though.

[partgypsy]

Quality stainless steel pots and pans (All-clad or Calphalon). I'm finally ditching the nonstick stuff after years of use now that the coating is starting to flake off. I've replaced 4 pieces so far and I'm never going back.

Nonstick is not needed for all applications. All my pots and pans are inexpensive stainless steel, with a couple exceptions.  I do have a small nonstick pan which i use for cooking eggs that I replace periodically, and a nonstick "griddle" for pancakes. I also have a hand me down heavy cast iron skillet, which is really useful and essentially non-stick. While it is certainly prettier than what I'm using, I'm not sold that more expensive cookware = better.

You can often find cast iron stuff at thrift stores for pretty cheap. Lasts forever and great to cook with. We also have invested in some new  blue steel pans that have similar no-stick properties to traditional teflon-coated cookware without the carcinogens. They were pricier than the cast iron, but if properly cared for, should last forever.

Is this what your blue steel looks like?

[Kevin S.]

Kawasaki h2 sx se - 200 hp sport touring motorcycle ! Fast and comfortable, supercharged from the factory. Oh how i would love to have it one. Does it make any kind of sense in anyway shape or form - absolutely freaking not ! haha

Terrible idea is terrible but maybe one day when i have alot of FU money i will buy one.

[EnjoyIt]

New "fancy" underwear. I've had the same pairs since before kids, (my kids are 11 & 12) & they have seen better days. I've priced out replacement pairs for what I want, and it's a lot. I can get a more questionable version on Amazon for $10 for a 6 pack. I kind of want to save some of my flex money & splurge.

No new underwear in 12 years? There's frugal and then there is suffering. :( I'm not sure what "fancy" is for you but for me it's underwear that is not from Target or sold in a multi-pack. A couple years ago I needed new underwear (time to give up the maternity underwear considering my youngest was 6 then) and I decided to try an actual underwear store. I really like the ones I got from Soma, the vanishing edge ones is particular. But if you don't want to be that fancy, I've found underwear I like a lot from Target.

Agreed.  I find places like Marshals will have nice undies for a much lower cost.  I have found some good stuff for $6-$10 a pair that normally goes for $20-$25.   There are certain things I splurge on.  Toilet paper and decent underwear are on that list.

[EnjoyIt]

Quality stainless steel pots and pans (All-clad or Calphalon). I'm finally ditching the nonstick stuff after years of use now that the coating is starting to flake off. I've replaced 4 pieces so far and I'm never going back.

I have been using cast iron which you can get cheap at walmart.  When properly seasoned I can easily cook eggs with cheese and it is non stick. The only benefit I see from steel is that it is lighter than cast iron.

[EconDiva]

This videocamera:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BV14OXA/?coliid=I21X6LNJ9BVTED&colid=1MN9JM8U3JE49&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I know I just need to stick with my used GoPro Hero 4.

[M2 pilot]

At the moment, I'm lusting after two things:
1) A two-post lift to make it easier to work on our cars.  It would cost about $2,000.  My car is worth *maybe* $800.
2) Flight instruction and my own airplane(s).  At least three planes, to be specific: an ultralight for just sightseeing around the area, a bush plane (KitFox? Cub? I don't know) for going off the beaten path, and an RV-10 for cross-country flying.

I've had my two-post lift for 7 years or so. I may have saved the purchase cost by doing my own repairs and maintainance , maybe not. I could have done a lot of the work without the lift but I'm too old to be crawling around under cars on jack stands.  I certainly have some envious friends since I had it installed.

[zolotiyeruki]

At the moment, I'm lusting after two things:
1) A two-post lift to make it easier to work on our cars.  It would cost about $2,000.  My car is worth *maybe* $800.
2) Flight instruction and my own airplane(s).  At least three planes, to be specific: an ultralight for just sightseeing around the area, a bush plane (KitFox? Cub? I don't know) for going off the beaten path, and an RV-10 for cross-country flying.

I've had my two-post lift for 7 years or so. I may have saved the purchase cost by doing my own repairs and maintainance , maybe not. I could have done a lot of the work without the lift but I'm too old to be crawling around under cars on jack stands.  I certainly have some envious friends since I had it installed.

I have a brother-in-law who's in the process of finishing his new garage (separate from his attached garage).  He plans to put a lift in, and poured the slab thicker in order to make it possible.  I'm quite envious.

[BeautifulDay]

A camping trailer. There are some small air streams that I love. 

Would like to have a small, camper to travel with my dog so she can stay in AC while we do other things or go places that she can't. Wish every place was dog friendly but it isn't.

But I don't have a place to park it, we rarely have time to go camping and it is too much money. So it is just a stupid dream.

[edgema]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-30/mb-f-l-ep-e-1839-grant-desk-clock-a-timekeeping-tank?srnd=premium-europe

Clearly I am not. What sort of insanity is a $22,800 desk clock that looks like a transformer...... "Experiencing one of these creations in person is like being given a small slice of your childhood back". Can you imagine writing that! Priceless.

[Freckles]

It's kind of hard to read. I wouldn't pay more than $15K for it. ;)

[runbikerun]

Of all the idiotic bullshit advertisers try to feed to me, fancy watches are the absolute fucking worst. They're fucking JEWELLERY, and all the horseshit about "craftsmanship" and "heritage" and "classic design" can go and do one. That ludicrous contraption is a pointless executive toy that costs about the same as an entry-level worker's annual salary and does a worse job of actually telling you the time than a ten-dollar desktop clock. It's a beautifully constructed sign that reads "I AM RICH AS FUCK AND CAN AFFORD TO BLOW THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ON ABSOLUTE BOLLOCKS". I think I'd have more respect for someone who blew that much on a spectacular Vegas bender.

[Catbert]

Tesla Model 3.  I'm afraid that I'm losing the battle.  I'll have to decide soon because for this car the Federal tax credit expires December 31 and it takes 2-4 months for deliver.

One the plus side it could literally be the last car I ever buy.  I've had my current car for 14 years and 14 years from now I'll be 80.  OTOH 50K for a car with plastic seats!?!  (AKA vegan leather and manufactured leather).

[RWD]

Tesla Model 3.  I'm afraid that I'm losing the battle.

Let me help you fight the battle:
https://jalopnik.com/bumper-falls-off-brand-new-tesla-model-3-after-30-minut-1828306917
https://jalopnik.com/tesla-model-3-teardown-by-engineering-firm-reveals-qual-1822678045
https://jalopnik.com/tesla-adds-third-assembly-line-in-a-tent-outside-its-hu-1826901306
https://jalopnik.com/anyone-can-order-a-tesla-model-3-now-but-the-35-000-o-1827493114

If you're going to spend $50k+ on an electric car at least get something built by a reasonable company. The Jaguar I-PACE is only $5k more than the performance version of the Model 3. Chevrolet offers a sub-$40k electric car already with the Bolt, which is a better car than the Model 3. The Hyundai Kona EV will be out soon too.

[Goldy]

A 2011 Maserati GranTurismo S caught my attention while car shopping to replace our aging car.  Original price was 145k and it’s currently down to 36k in absolutely mint condition.  The pull is strong but my wife has landed some solid face punches. The sound of the exhaust made me smile just from a video, I can’t imagine firing that thing up in person.

[RWD]

A 2011 Maserati GranTurismo S caught my attention while car shopping to replace our aging car.  Original price was 145k and it’s currently down to 36k in absolutely mint condition.  The pull is strong but my wife has landed some solid face punches. The sound of the exhaust made me smile just from a video, I can’t imagine firing that thing up in person.

The Maserati GranTurismo is a gorgeous car. But there's a reason they've depreciated so much. Reliability is a known issue with Maseratis. And they aren't cheap to repair either.
https://www.osv.ltd.uk/how-reliable-are-maserati/

[May2030]

Ceramic coating and a detail of my car for £650 ($850). Wrote a email to the detailer  and deleted it. Oh the shame!

[pdxmonkey]

I really want this keyboard, but if I'm honest, most of my keyboard hours are for work....and they're mostly on a laptop, not where this keyboard would go.

https://gaming.kinesis-ergo.com/edge/

[EnjoyIt]

http://www.us.jvc.com/projectors/reference/dla_rs4500k/



This is a true 4k HDR projector with a laser light source for amazing blacks and contrast ratios.  For $35k they can go suck it.  But a few years from now this tech will be standard and we will be all over it.

[sequoia]

At the moment, I'm lusting after two things:
1) A two-post lift to make it easier to work on our cars.  It would cost about $2,000.  My car is worth *maybe* $800.
2) Flight instruction and my own airplane(s).  At least three planes, to be specific: an ultralight for just sightseeing around the area, a bush plane (KitFox? Cub? I don't know) for going off the beaten path, and an RV-10 for cross-country flying.

Oh me too! Unfortunately the ceiling in my garage is not high enough for a lift...

If we ever buy another house, my want list includes a 3 car garage with tall ceiling to install a lift. Also extra tall garage door so I can drive our SUV with the roof top carrier into the garage. I am getting tired of loading/unloading the roof top carrier in the driveway. It seems that every time I do this, it starts raining lol and in the winter it really sucks to load/unload outside.

[Sun Hat]

More tomatoes. I grow my own tomatoes, but was concerned that there wouldn't be enough to keep me in sauce and soup until spring, so I bought a case of nice romas wholesale. Now that I've canned them all up, I want MORE. I still have quite a few ripening on the vines, but some primeval instinct is telling me to hoard. The kicker is that even if I were to run out of sauce mid-winter, I can easily afford to buy a can of tomatoes for $1 at the store (though they wouldn't be as tasty as my sauce).

At least most of the above posters want expensive things, I just want to swim in tomato sauce.

[sequoia]

A 2011 Maserati GranTurismo S caught my attention while car shopping to replace our aging car.  Original price was 145k and it’s currently down to 36k in absolutely mint condition.  The pull is strong but my wife has landed some solid face punches. The sound of the exhaust made me smile just from a video, I can’t imagine firing that thing up in person.

The Maserati GranTurismo is a gorgeous car. But there's a reason they've depreciated so much. Reliability is a known issue with Maseratis. And they aren't cheap to repair either.
https://www.osv.ltd.uk/how-reliable-are-maserati/

My neighbor's ex own a Maserati (not sure which model). He said the car always has problem and not cheap to fix.  I have seen the car in his driveway a few times, very cool car.

[eljefe-speaks]

Help me church of MMM! I can NOT stop lusting over motorcycles! Every time I get a new one (currently on a '17 Yamaha FZ10), it is about 1 year before I start browsing for a new one. It starts by just browsing craigslist ads, no biggie. Next thing you know, I am hooked on something (in this case, it's a Suzuki GSXR 750) and I start thinking of all the ways I can make it happen. But I know damn well I won't be one bit happier on the new bike after just a few months. And a year later, I will end up on craigslist again. It's everything the MMM community hates about mindless consumerism. It's insanely STUPID. Yet I can NOT stop! This also qualifies for the facepunch thread.

But, that said, my current plan is to go cheaper, and have both a new (to me) bike and zero motorcycle (or any other) debt. So that is how I am justifying it this time. Also the insurance on older bikes in peanuts.

[RWD]

Help me church of MMM! I can NOT stop lusting over motorcycles! Every time I get a new one (currently on a '17 Yamaha FZ10), it is about 1 year before I start browsing for a new one. It starts by just browsing craigslist ads, no biggie. Next thing you know, I am hooked on something (in this case, it's a Suzuki GSXR 750) and I start thinking of all the ways I can make it happen. But I know damn well I won't be one bit happier on the new bike after just a few months. And a year later, I will end up on craigslist again. It's everything the MMM community hates about mindless consumerism. It's insanely STUPID. Yet I can NOT stop! This also qualifies for the facepunch thread.

But, that said, my current plan is to go cheaper, and have both a new (to me) bike and zero motorcycle (or any other) debt. So that is how I am justifying it this time. Also the insurance on older bikes in peanuts.

Maybe buy something with more character, like a collector's bike or something, that you're less likely to want to swap out for the newest shiny model. Also won't depreciate as much. Like a Ducati 916 or something.

[eljefe-speaks]

Help me church of MMM! I can NOT stop lusting over motorcycles! Every time I get a new one (currently on a '17 Yamaha FZ10), it is about 1 year before I start browsing for a new one. It starts by just browsing craigslist ads, no biggie. Next thing you know, I am hooked on something (in this case, it's a Suzuki GSXR 750) and I start thinking of all the ways I can make it happen. But I know damn well I won't be one bit happier on the new bike after just a few months. And a year later, I will end up on craigslist again. It's everything the MMM community hates about mindless consumerism. It's insanely STUPID. Yet I can NOT stop! This also qualifies for the facepunch thread.

But, that said, my current plan is to go cheaper, and have both a new (to me) bike and zero motorcycle (or any other) debt. So that is how I am justifying it this time. Also the insurance on older bikes in peanuts.

Maybe buy something with more character, like a collector's bike or something, that you're less likely to want to swap out for the newest shiny model. Also won't depreciate as much. Like a Ducati 916 or something.

Good thinking. Hell, my brother has a beautiful Ducati 748. Maybe I could just borrower it or swap for a few months!

[Inaya]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/horizon-zero-dawntm-the-board-game

HZD is my favorite game ever. And I love the designs of the machines. But not only is it ridiculously expensive, I also have nobody to play it with. Plus I probably won't even see it until 2020.

I wish they'd just sell the machines a la carte. I'd be more than happy with just a Thunderjaw and a Tallneck. And maybe a Watcher. And a Stalker. And a Longleg. And a Stormbird. And a Scorcher.

[2Birds1Stone]

A 1990-1998 GMC Vanduro, to convert into a camper van.

[sapphail]

More tomatoes. I grow my own tomatoes, but was concerned that there wouldn't be enough to keep me in sauce and soup until spring, so I bought a case of nice romas wholesale. Now that I've canned them all up, I want MORE. I still have quite a few ripening on the vines, but some primeval instinct is telling me to hoard. The kicker is that even if I were to run out of sauce mid-winter, I can easily afford to buy a can of tomatoes for $1 at the store (though they wouldn't be as tasty as my sauce).

At least most of the above posters want expensive things, I just want to swim in tomato sauce.

I wish I could grow tomatoes. Every spring, I get a bee in my bonnet about growing things - herbs, fruit, garlic, you name it. Problem is, I have the opposite of a green thumb and have somehow managed to kill everything I plant. I have killed mint, which apparently grows like a weed. I could probably kill bamboo. I'll have to stick to store-bought :(

[DagobertDuck]

A power meter for my road bike.

(That's a thing in the crank that measures your body's power output in Watts. The cheapest version would set me back 'only' like $ 350.)

It'll produce a shitload of DATAAAAA (which I'm a massive sucker for) but it's only useful if you actually DO something smart with all that data. I doubt if I will actually do that, and I fear it will distract me from the simple pleasure of just riding my bike.

[2Birds1Stone]

A power meter for my road bike.

(That's a thing in the crank that measures your body's power output in Watts. The cheapest version would set me back 'only' like $ 350.)

It'll produce a shitload of DATAAAAA (which I'm a massive sucker for) but it's only useful if you actually DO something smart with all that data. I doubt if I will actually do that, and I fear it will distract me from the simple pleasure of just riding my bike.

Join the FB group "Tri n' Sell it", you will find used power meters almost daily/weekly. Snag one when you can find a good deal. It's 90% triathlete gear. Triathletes always need the latest and greatest tech, so they get rid of perfectly functioning items after a season or two.

[Goldy]

A 2011 Maserati GranTurismo S caught my attention while car shopping to replace our aging car.  Original price was 145k and it’s currently down to 36k in absolutely mint condition.  The pull is strong but my wife has landed some solid face punches. The sound of the exhaust made me smile just from a video, I can’t imagine firing that thing up in person.

The Maserati GranTurismo is a gorgeous car. But there's a reason they've depreciated so much. Reliability is a known issue with Maseratis. And they aren't cheap to repair either.
https://www.osv.ltd.uk/how-reliable-are-maserati/

My neighbor's ex own a Maserati (not sure which model). He said the car always has problem and not cheap to fix.  I have seen the car in his driveway a few times, very cool car.

I’m reasonable handy so I was planning on doing my own brakes, belts and fluids but there are some things are beyond my current comfort zone like clutch repairs and anything else internal.  Repairs seem to cost an order of magnitude more than a normal car repair.  The windshield has a crack in the one I was looking st, I would have expected that to cost $500 bucks.  Nope, $5,500.  Clutch isn’t $700, it’s 7,000. 

I probably could have convinced myself into the car if maitanince was reasonably priced but I don’t want to worry about spending that kind of money just to keep it running.

[DagobertDuck]

Isn't a used Maserati the cheapest way to look rich? ;)

[JLee]

A 2011 Maserati GranTurismo S caught my attention while car shopping to replace our aging car.  Original price was 145k and it’s currently down to 36k in absolutely mint condition.  The pull is strong but my wife has landed some solid face punches. The sound of the exhaust made me smile just from a video, I can’t imagine firing that thing up in person.

The Maserati GranTurismo is a gorgeous car. But there's a reason they've depreciated so much. Reliability is a known issue with Maseratis. And they aren't cheap to repair either.
https://www.osv.ltd.uk/how-reliable-are-maserati/

My neighbor's ex own a Maserati (not sure which model). He said the car always has problem and not cheap to fix.  I have seen the car in his driveway a few times, very cool car.

I’m reasonable handy so I was planning on doing my own brakes, belts and fluids but there are some things are beyond my current comfort zone like clutch repairs and anything else internal.  Repairs seem to cost an order of magnitude more than a normal car repair.  The windshield has a crack in the one I was looking st, I would have expected that to cost $500 bucks.  Nope, $5,500.  Clutch isn’t $700, it’s 7,000. 

I probably could have convinced myself into the car if maitanince was reasonably priced but I don’t want to worry about spending that kind of money just to keep it running.

That's why I don't have a Mercedes S600.  2003-2006, I think, are the years with absolutely ridiculous power/comfort, but when they break you're out a lot of money. $1500 coil packs, etc. Maybe someday when I have more garage space to play around with, but by then they'll be so old..

https://jalopnik.com/the-180-mph-cheaper-sleeper-the-story-of-my-mercedes-s-1534030903
https://jalopnik.com/you-can-buy-a-604-hp-mercedes-s65-amg-for-the-price-of-1685564931

I've seen S600's under $10k, and I want to say they were $140k+ new.

[partgypsy]

Help me church of MMM! I can NOT stop lusting over motorcycles! Every time I get a new one (currently on a '17 Yamaha FZ10), it is about 1 year before I start browsing for a new one. It starts by just browsing craigslist ads, no biggie. Next thing you know, I am hooked on something (in this case, it's a Suzuki GSXR 750) and I start thinking of all the ways I can make it happen. But I know damn well I won't be one bit happier on the new bike after just a few months. And a year later, I will end up on craigslist again. It's everything the MMM community hates about mindless consumerism. It's insanely STUPID. Yet I can NOT stop! This also qualifies for the facepunch thread.

But, that said, my current plan is to go cheaper, and have both a new (to me) bike and zero motorcycle (or any other) debt. So that is how I am justifying it this time. Also the insurance on older bikes in peanuts.

My lil brother is crazy for bikes too, and endlessly looks at craigslist, both bikes and stuff for bikes. He basically buys bikes, fixes them up, rides them for awhile, gets another itch, sells the bike to get another one. It's not zero transaction costs, but much cheaper than buying new. What I find humorous, is he essentially does the same thing in one of his favorite video games with tanks. I guess it makes sense because when he was a kid he was super into building models and in college learned autocad o he could say design a 3D model of an engine. That part of my brain doesn't work.

[JLee]

Help me church of MMM! I can NOT stop lusting over motorcycles! Every time I get a new one (currently on a '17 Yamaha FZ10), it is about 1 year before I start browsing for a new one. It starts by just browsing craigslist ads, no biggie. Next thing you know, I am hooked on something (in this case, it's a Suzuki GSXR 750) and I start thinking of all the ways I can make it happen. But I know damn well I won't be one bit happier on the new bike after just a few months. And a year later, I will end up on craigslist again. It's everything the MMM community hates about mindless consumerism. It's insanely STUPID. Yet I can NOT stop! This also qualifies for the facepunch thread.

But, that said, my current plan is to go cheaper, and have both a new (to me) bike and zero motorcycle (or any other) debt. So that is how I am justifying it this time. Also the insurance on older bikes in peanuts.

My lil brother is crazy for bikes too, and endlessly looks at craigslist, both bikes and stuff for bikes. He basically buys bikes, fixes them up, rides them for awhile, gets another itch, sells the bike to get another one. It's not zero transaction costs, but much cheaper than buying new. What I find humorous, is he essentially does the same thing in one of his favorite video games with tanks. I guess it makes sense because when he was a kid he was super into building models and in college learned autocad o he could say design a 3D model of an engine. That part of my brain doesn't work.

I used to kinda do that with cars. I was usually driving something different every year or two and would generally not lose much / anything on a sale. Then I moved to a state that charges sales tax on private party vehicle purchases, and that ended..

[Rural]

New tractor. We have to have a tractor, and it has to have 4wd, so we can maintain the road that lets us get to the house. But it does not have to be a new tractor. It's just we sold the backhoe (a late '60s model) in large part because it had reached the point where more time was being spent working on it than with it. New tractor means new tractor warranty. Until it doesn't, anyway.


The search for a used tractor continues. I just want a new tractor for a used tractor price, basically. I'll lust, but we will not buy. Hopefully we'll eventually find a used one in decent shape, and there will be much rejoicing.

[Dr.Jeckyl]

VW GTI. I'm a practical person at heart so I would like a practical "hot hatch". I've gone back and forth between the Focus ST, MazdaSpeed 3, GTI, etc... over the past 5 or so years. I probably really got the bug when my current driver turned 10 but decided I wouldn't buy a new car until I lessen my 140 mile per day commute. Well, over 3 years ago I lessened my commute. I then turned to the next goal and the next and still haven't bought that car.

[partgypsy]

Because of the weather, a generator. Live in North Carolina, and unfortunately florence reminds me of Fran. Which was trees down everywhere including crushed car and rooftops within a block, no electricity for a week. Traffic deaths from no operating traffic lights.  Except that Fran was a level 3 and Flo is a level 4, and about twice as many pple live on the coast than they did twenty years ago.

[Freedomin5]

A house. In the forest. Overlooking a lake. That can generate rental income. And income as a B and B. The stupid part is that it’s in a country where I currently do not reside.

[sequoia]

Because of the weather, a generator. Live in North Carolina, and unfortunately florence reminds me of Fran. Which was trees down everywhere including crushed car and rooftops within a block, no electricity for a week. Traffic deaths from no operating traffic lights.  Except that Fran was a level 3 and Flo is a level 4, and about twice as many pple live on the coast than they did twenty years ago.

I have family in North Carolina. Stay safe!

[lemanfan]

A couple of japanese chef knives, made by a really old blacksmith that probably retires soon.

[YK-Phil]

A Toyota Tacoma and a Four-Wheel Camper. These would be the perfect tools for my lifestyle -overlanding, which I do on 6-month stints but hope to go full-time in a year or two.

[Aelias]

I have a small collection of rocks and minerals, most of which I've collected on my own from places I've been, which is how you're supposed to do it IMHO.

But I've been hanging out at mineral websites online.  And the pretty sparkly rocks are pretty and sparkly.

http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/best1-4.htm

[partgypsy]

I have a small collection of rocks and minerals, most of which I've collected on my own from places I've been, which is how you're supposed to do it IMHO.

But I've been hanging out at mineral websites online.  And the pretty sparkly rocks are pretty and sparkly.

http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/best1-4.htm

I like browsing this site. I've bought a couple things and they were nice. Look at the "spectacular" decorator minerals.
https://www.mineralminers.com/html/indxmins.htm

[rothwem]

A power meter for my road bike.

(That's a thing in the crank that measures your body's power output in Watts. The cheapest version would set me back 'only' like $ 350.)

It'll produce a shitload of DATAAAAA (which I'm a massive sucker for) but it's only useful if you actually DO something smart with all that data. I doubt if I will actually do that, and I fear it will distract me from the simple pleasure of just riding my bike.

I want one too. I currently have one, but it’s a hub-based power meter that won’t work on my cyclocross bike, which is the bike I put 90% of my miles on. I’m also recovering from a knee injury, so I want the double-sided model so I can track my side to side power balance.

I just can’t swallow the $1000 cost and they’re fairly new enough that they’re tough to find used.

[Penn42]

A power meter for my road bike.

(That's a thing in the crank that measures your body's power output in Watts. The cheapest version would set me back 'only' like $ 350.)

It'll produce a shitload of DATAAAAA (which I'm a massive sucker for) but it's only useful if you actually DO something smart with all that data. I doubt if I will actually do that, and I fear it will distract me from the simple pleasure of just riding my bike.

I want one too. I currently have one, but it’s a hub-based power meter that won’t work on my cyclocross bike, which is the bike I put 90% of my miles on. I’m also recovering from a knee injury, so I want the double-sided model so I can track my side to side power balance.

I just can’t swallow the $1000 cost and they’re fairly new enough that they’re tough to find used.

I had no idea such a thing existed, much less in a double sided version.  No way I'm stopping that kind of money, but it would be super cool to see how much more I'm actually doing with my right leg.  I know it's dominant, it's just a question of how much.

[rothwem]

A power meter for my road bike.

(That's a thing in the crank that measures your body's power output in Watts. The cheapest version would set me back 'only' like $ 350.)

It'll produce a shitload of DATAAAAA (which I'm a massive sucker for) but it's only useful if you actually DO something smart with all that data. I doubt if I will actually do that, and I fear it will distract me from the simple pleasure of just riding my bike.

I want one too. I currently have one, but it’s a hub-based power meter that won’t work on my cyclocross bike, which is the bike I put 90% of my miles on. I’m also recovering from a knee injury, so I want the double-sided model so I can track my side to side power balance.

I just can’t swallow the $1000 cost and they’re fairly new enough that they’re tough to find used.

I had no idea such a thing existed, much less in a double sided version.  No way I'm stopping that kind of money, but it would be super cool to see how much more I'm actually doing with my right leg.  I know it's dominant, it's just a question of how much.

Yeah, and apparently the power balance changes depending on how hard you're going also, which is another cool thing to track.  Some power meters can even give you "pedaling smoothness" metric that shows how well you apply power through the full power stroke.  SO MUCH DATA!

I'm such an engineering dork.