I’m a foot and ankle surgeon with 20 years of experience. I’m not sponsored, but I do recommend Hoka shoes to all my patients for walking and hiking. Hoka Bondi is the maximal cushioned shoes that work with most people. They also make mid cut Goretex hiking shoes. As for the mileage, most modern shoes go flat - the mid sole cushions bottom out - by 400 to 500 miles. If the outsole is worn out, it’s time to retire them and don’t bother replacing the outsole. Daily walking and the exercise is the best investment for your health and don’t skimp out on your shoes. If you buy last years model as you mentioned, you can get good discount for the same shoes. You should divulge into health and fitness and diet in 2023, as health is wealth. What’s FIRE good for, if your health is poor. Happy holidays.
My amazon kindle! Of course I can spend money and buy thousands of books but I really like how I can download library books and public domain content. I use it nearly every day. My kindle FIRE is a close second :-)
Great choice, Kimberly. It's been more than a few years since I got my latest in a series of Kindles - a waterproof Paperwhite. I fully agree that they are amazing and I, too love the library integration. Cheers, Jason
Thank you both for all the great videos - the interaction between the two of you, the informative and interesting discussions, the helpful and necessary topics … thank you! Wishing you two, Laura & Lori, and your sons & daughter a beautiful Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous 2023!! (Next Friday is my last day of work - I’m retiring at 57! It’s an exciting but also an emotional time right now. I think I’ll miss work & I know I’ll miss all the people I work with.)
By far, my best purchase under $250 is a set of cooking classes, in my 20s. An intro course taught by a professional chef, we learned the basics and in doing so, also realized that we could eat far better food, more affordably, if we cooked at home instead of going out. Plus, it was far healthier. (Ironically it was through this first class we were able to order - at discount because we were 'students' - a Le Creuset dutch oven. In blue no less!). Other great purchases include spin shoes. They were (several years ago) about ~$100, but wow, what a difference it made in my cycling class and my performance on the bike. When I started to exercise more, I also realized that 'massage' isn't a luxury - it really (for me) is a key part of mental and physical wellness. Stress relief, relaxation! Well worth the price of a massage IMO. Finally I would say, is using miles + $75 to upgrade to business/first class on flights longer than 5 hours. Definitely worth it. I guess the 'theme' for me, is that I value 1) education 2) health and 3) experiences. Now I have to go look into Eric's Apple Pen recommendation 🙂
Speaking of small venues, Jason have you had a chance to see anything at Vina Robles Amphitheater yet? What a great little venue. I've seen a few fantastic shows there, probably the highlight was seeing Judas Priest at that tiny place a few years back. 😎
My favorite purchase is my kindle paper white & the yearly kindle unlimited subscription. I’m an avid reader (anywhere from 200- 400 books a year). I’ve done the math & it’s well worth the money. The convenance of having my entire library on hand in my bag & the ability to download additional books brings me so much pleasure. It truly brings me joy.
I love, love, love smartwool socks. Best socks for spending hours at a barn riding horses (yes I am very privileged to be able to afford to ride and struggle with its impact on my RE date). Also a chest freezer, so nice to be able to cook later meals and freeze the leftovers.
Jason, just note that there are a lot of people who just can't get used to progressives. I had progressive sunglasses and almost ended up on the floor - now I have bifocal sunglasses :(
My most impactful purchase was a camera lens. That purchase led to my photos being used in newspaper articles, promo posters and CD covers. Now if only I could turn it into a side hustle instead of free entry to concerts! 😆
Eric, since are a big concert goer, getting custom molded earplugs is a game changer. Around $250, will dampen all frequencies evenly, and makes the concert experience 10x better with no hearing damage. My #1 thing I own cheaper than $250. Protect your ears!
Hey! I recently found you guys and have been playing catch-up on the shows. Great stuff, but felt obligated to comment after the Coheed shoutout. Another child of the fence checking in. Eric, did you catch their latest tour?
Hey @Diplomat Chess...respect...! We missed them on their latest tour, but they're always on our radar. They're trending toward playing larger venues and I kind of miss the small club shows when we first started following them. Alas...good stuff! \m/
What's your most impactful purchase or gift you've received under $250? Let us know in the comments below!
I’m a foot and ankle surgeon with 20 years of experience. I’m not sponsored, but I do recommend Hoka shoes to all my patients for walking and hiking. Hoka Bondi is the maximal cushioned shoes that work with most people. They also make mid cut Goretex hiking shoes. As for the mileage, most modern shoes go flat - the mid sole cushions bottom out - by 400 to 500 miles. If the outsole is worn out, it’s time to retire them and don’t bother replacing the outsole. Daily walking and the exercise is the best investment for your health and don’t skimp out on your shoes. If you buy last years model as you mentioned, you can get good discount for the same shoes. You should divulge into health and fitness and diet in 2023, as health is wealth. What’s FIRE good for, if your health is poor. Happy holidays.
Thanks very much! These are great tips
My amazon kindle! Of course I can spend money and buy thousands of books but I really like how I can download library books and public domain content. I use it nearly every day. My kindle FIRE is a close second :-)
Great choice, Kimberly. It's been more than a few years since I got my latest in a series of Kindles - a waterproof Paperwhite. I fully agree that they are amazing and I, too love the library integration. Cheers, Jason
I needed new exercise long sleeved shirts. Tried the Proof wool shirts per Eric’s recommendation. Love them! Thanks for another great episode.
I have the exact Dutch oven :-) I love the blue
Nice! It's great, isn't it? -Jason
Thank you both for all the great videos - the interaction between the two of you, the informative and interesting discussions, the helpful and necessary topics … thank you! Wishing you two, Laura & Lori, and your sons & daughter a beautiful Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous 2023!! (Next Friday is my last day of work - I’m retiring at 57! It’s an exciting but also an emotional time right now. I think I’ll miss work & I know I’ll miss all the people I work with.)
Thank you! Congratulations on your retirement. The people are what I’ve missed the most. Best wishes to you. -Jason
I've watched every video on this channel, but now you show footage from a Megadeth concert? Can I like and subscribe twice?
\m/
Barkeepers friend is great for cleanup
Great tip, thanks
By far, my best purchase under $250 is a set of cooking classes, in my 20s. An intro course taught by a professional chef, we learned the basics and in doing so, also realized that we could eat far better food, more affordably, if we cooked at home instead of going out. Plus, it was far healthier. (Ironically it was through this first class we were able to order - at discount because we were 'students' - a Le Creuset dutch oven. In blue no less!). Other great purchases include spin shoes. They were (several years ago) about ~$100, but wow, what a difference it made in my cycling class and my performance on the bike. When I started to exercise more, I also realized that 'massage' isn't a luxury - it really (for me) is a key part of mental and physical wellness. Stress relief, relaxation! Well worth the price of a massage IMO. Finally I would say, is using miles + $75 to upgrade to business/first class on flights longer than 5 hours. Definitely worth it. I guess the 'theme' for me, is that I value 1) education 2) health and 3) experiences. Now I have to go look into Eric's Apple Pen recommendation 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Brenda! Cooking classes are great
Speaking of small venues, Jason have you had a chance to see anything at Vina Robles Amphitheater yet? What a great little venue. I've seen a few fantastic shows there, probably the highlight was seeing Judas Priest at that tiny place a few years back. 😎
Sure have, Craig! It's quite a venue. We were fortunate to see Primus last year. Seeing Priest there must have been super fun. -Jason
I look forward to every episode. Thank you guys. Merry Christmas
Thanks, Shawn! Merry Christmas
My favorite purchase is my kindle paper white & the yearly kindle unlimited subscription. I’m an avid reader (anywhere from 200- 400 books a year). I’ve done the math & it’s well worth the money. The convenance of having my entire library on hand in my bag & the ability to download additional books brings me so much pleasure. It truly brings me joy.
Jason here- I agree! If I’d bought mine more recently it would definitely have been on my list. It’s a great device!
Happy Holidays! thanks for sharing your conversations, see you on the next one 🤘👍
Thanks, Enrique! Enjoy your holidays as well
I love, love, love smartwool socks. Best socks for spending hours at a barn riding horses (yes I am very privileged to be able to afford to ride and struggle with its impact on my RE date). Also a chest freezer, so nice to be able to cook later meals and freeze the leftovers.
SmartWool is great! And chest freezers are hard to beat as well
Jason, just note that there are a lot of people who just can't get used to progressives. I had progressive sunglasses and almost ended up on the floor - now I have bifocal sunglasses :(
That’s good to know., thanks! Glad to hear you didn’t end up on the floor
My most impactful purchase was a camera lens. That purchase led to my photos being used in newspaper articles, promo posters and CD covers. Now if only I could turn it into a side hustle instead of free entry to concerts! 😆
Great choice, K G! People always need photography of all kinds. There’s probably a side hustle in there somewhere
Eric, since are a big concert goer, getting custom molded earplugs is a game changer. Around $250, will dampen all frequencies evenly, and makes the concert experience 10x better with no hearing damage. My #1 thing I own cheaper than $250. Protect your ears!
What?
only half kidding...my younger self should've been so wise. thanks for the rec, I'll be sure to check them out...
-eric
Hey! I recently found you guys and have been playing catch-up on the shows. Great stuff, but felt obligated to comment after the Coheed shoutout. Another child of the fence checking in. Eric, did you catch their latest tour?
Hey @Diplomat Chess...respect...! We missed them on their latest tour, but they're always on our radar. They're trending toward playing larger venues and I kind of miss the small club shows when we first started following them. Alas...good stuff!
\m/
"Premium tickets" for $150 is wild thats really cheap
we're typically closer to the $250 end, but depends on the venue...when we travel to QC, Canada our USD buys 20% more...
Kitchen -
Dehydrator
Chest freezer (secondhand)
Bread maker
Surprisingly, a popcorn maker
Outside -
Raised garden beds
Multitool
Outdoor knife
Drill
Compost bins
Worm farm
Personal -
Safety razor
Good electric toothbrush
Comprehensive sewing kit and sewing machine
Good steam iron
Entertainment:
Kindle
Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones
Great list! Thanks so much for sharing