I bought a nice 18K David Yurman ring and necklace today and I’m freaking out a bit. I thought this might help ease my nerves and also discover what everyone’s passions are.

Thanks!
Justin

Probably going to buy a used BMW in the next month but beside that just a Las Vegas light sign to hang in my office. It only cost $150 bucks.

NIKV69 wrote:

Probably going to buy a used BMW in the next month but beside that just a Las Vegas light sign to hang in my office. It only cost $150 bucks.

Nice! I’ve always wanted a BMW. I think they’re designed beautifully. I don’t know much about the engine or any of the specs. Just love the way they look.

Do $15,000 or $5,000 shotguns count? My last car was 8 years ago, small Mercedes sedan, doubt I’ll buy a new car soon—too damned much electronics, too few cylinders, turbos all of which means trouble.

I've just had to pay £121 just to renew my GPhC registration, in return the Her Majesty's government will kindly let me go to work for another 12 months.

Last fun thing I bought? A gaming laptop that was knocked down in the sales from £1100 to £800.

If we're talking about lasting purchases (something tangible that can last a while and can be enjoyed repeatedly): my house in MD. If we open it to something that in total was more than $3000, then my cruise vacation last year.

Tickets to Hawaii for a wedding. If the dumb coronavirus doesn't ruin the trip.

I know it's not popular on these boards, but an AK. I get cheap Eastern Bloc junk, I love it for the historic value.

My house, I guess. Temporary house, almost paid off, will be a good down payment on the forever house!

I'm pretty cheap, those are the only major things in the past several years

CitizenJustin wrote:

NIKV69 wrote:

Probably going to buy a used BMW in the next month but beside that just a Las Vegas light sign to hang in my office. It only cost $150 bucks.

Nice! I’ve always wanted a BMW. I think they’re designed beautifully. I don’t know much about the engine or any of the specs. Just love the way they look.

Does lease of a BMW count?

A 2019 CPO Ford Explorer, soon to be quickly followed by high school tuition for both my kids. No big vacation for us this year...and possibly next.

Home improvements for about $37K USD.

Long overdue and highly welcomed.

My Honda Civic.
I really like it and it's a nice improvement over my last car.

The title for my car arrived in the mail today. I went hot and heavy on payments. It’s mine!

Bicycle frame at AUD$5K - extremely light. The whole thing built up is about $12K.

Absolutely brilliant thing and I’ve put more than 20,000km on it since I got it April last year.

Nothing much else.

CitizenJustin wrote:

NIKV69 wrote:

Probably going to buy a used BMW in the next month but beside that just a Las Vegas light sign to hang in my office. It only cost $150 bucks.

Nice! I’ve always wanted a BMW. I think they’re designed beautifully. I don’t know much about the engine or any of the specs. Just love the way they look.

Of course they are they are German! They are made good too, like a tank!

anrec80 wrote:

CitizenJustin wrote:

NIKV69 wrote:

Probably going to buy a used BMW in the next month but beside that just a Las Vegas light sign to hang in my office. It only cost $150 bucks.

Nice! I’ve always wanted a BMW. I think they’re designed beautifully. I don’t know much about the engine or any of the specs. Just love the way they look.

Does lease of a BMW count?

I think so. Do you lease one?

CitizenJustin wrote:

I think so. Do you lease one?

For now - yes, for a couple of reasons. First, I do not want to get into a huge monthly commitment, and second - I am just settling in Stamford CT, and if I decide to move to NYC a bit later, I know there is an end date to the vehicle ownership.

CitizenJustin wrote:

I bought a nice 18K David Yurman ring and necklace today and I’m freaking out a bit. I thought this might help ease my nerves and also discover what everyone’s passions are.

Thanks!
Justin

i read that as a 18,000 david yurman ring.

BlueberryWheats wrote:

I've just had to pay £121 just to renew my GPhC registration, in return the Her Majesty's government will kindly let me go to work for another 12 months.

Last fun thing I bought? A gaming laptop that was knocked down in the sales from £1100 to £800.

My uncle had two life long friends, one a butcher and the other a chemist. I remember we were at a party and the butcher tells me that he gets all the gossip and news from the ladies. He would know if anyone has died recently and then the chemist leans over and said I can tell you who’s going to die!

Paid cash for an MRI on my knee...

Painting the house


Honestly , it all started with a 100 dollar dinner date. Then there was a ring, then there was a wedding, honeymoon then there was a house, and then another house, then a car, then doctor's appointements. A kid, diapers, another kid, more diapers, formula, babysitting, preschool, sports, cars, family events., yard upkeep, furniture, plumbing,
But it all started with 100 dollars for dinner.

Ha! I could've written that same post.

NIKV69 wrote:

CitizenJustin wrote:

NIKV69 wrote:

Probably going to buy a used BMW in the next month but beside that just a Las Vegas light sign to hang in my office. It only cost $150 bucks.

Nice! I’ve always wanted a BMW. I think they’re designed beautifully. I don’t know much about the engine or any of the specs. Just love the way they look.

Of course they are they are German! They are made good too, like a tank!

I’m not so sure they’ve always been that well built. The current ones are better, our Police use the 530d which seems pretty good in everyday use and the engine (265hp diesel) is very good.

I also need to find a new laptop computer that is small and powerful. I’m running all my cycling training studio stuff from a little Lenovo Yoga and frankly it struggles when connected to the big wall display. It works, but no videos can run in the background if I set 4K resolution. But it is great for when I travel because it doesn’t weigh much...

mad99 wrote:

BlueberryWheats wrote:

I've just had to pay £121 just to renew my GPhC registration, in return the Her Majesty's government will kindly let me go to work for another 12 months.

Last fun thing I bought? A gaming laptop that was knocked down in the sales from £1100 to £800.

My uncle had two life long friends, one a butcher and the other a chemist. I remember we were at a party and the butcher tells me that he gets all the gossip and news from the ladies. He would know if anyone has died recently and then the chemist leans over and said I can tell you who’s going to die!

Your uncle's chemist friend isn't wrong though.

Depends on the threshold of what "big" entails
Got a new Mac just before new year - that wasn't cheap so I'll count that
If it had to be more, then a car in August. Not by choice though - my bought and paid-for "car for life" got T-boned and totaled so had to get a replacement. Found one a year newer with only 17K miles on it but cost me $4K over the settlement price for the wrecked one

casinterest wrote:

Honestly , it all started with a 100 dollar dinner date. Then there was a ring, then there was a wedding, honeymoon then there was a house, and then another house, then a car, then doctor's appointements. A kid, diapers, another kid, more diapers, formula, babysitting, preschool, sports, cars, family events., yard upkeep, furniture, plumbing,
But it all started with 100 dollars for dinner.

In my life, this sequence of events ended with the ring being thrown from one bag into the other in the airport.

Would have t be my car but that was nearly 5 years ago.... so soon it will be the next Car I suppose. Don't really look forward to writing a check that large.

I just ordered a Renault Clio IV to replace my Renault Clio IV... 19000€ but I'm not paying, it's my company car. Gas instead of the current diesel one so that's a plus, it supports android auto so that's also good. I'd have preferred a Clio V though, but apparently they stockpiled Clio IVs for us.

Last thing I paid for was a trip to California for a wedding, that included my first time in premium economy, my first time in an A380, my first time in the US for that matter, with a nice road trip from SF to Fresno and LA, then back on the Pacific highway.

Divorce lawyer.

I would like to get a new car later this year, but I will have to see what I have left after this is all over.

My last big purchase for me was a $300 2006 Honda Civic to beat on for this winter, saving my summer car from the salt.
And a $900 Chair recliner for my wife for her Birthday.

I rarely go big, but in the past month I splurged $1000 on PC hardware (there was a sale, and I there were a few things I had wanted to pick up) and transferred $1000 to my sister to pay for my summer vacation (she and her husband has rented a mobile home in Southern France in July, and I got invited to tag along, which I happily accepted).

Before that, probably back in October when I spent ~$3000 on furniture for my new apartment.

A 2017 Renault Fluence that I bought in 2017.

I'm thinking of going on holiday to the US again this year which means it could be my new big purchase. Not sure how to proceed now with the coronavirus issue, especially since it's hitting Washington state where I intend to go.

Aesma wrote:

I just ordered a Renault Clio IV to replace my Renault Clio IV... 19000€ but I'm not paying, it's my company car. Gas instead of the current diesel one so that's a plus, it supports android auto so that's also good. I'd have preferred a Clio V though, but apparently they stockpiled Clio IVs for us.

I just wish the Renault distributor here in Malaysia is more proactive in bringing the new models in. The Renault Megane IV is absolutely beautiful! But the only models they're selling right now is the Captur, the Koleos, and the Megane RS which costs a bomb.

I guess it's about tastes, and marketing/importing costs. Here in France the Fluence is not sold, as sedans are not very popular, so there is only the Talisman.

Classa64 wrote:

My last big purchase for me was a $300 2006 Honda Civic to beat on for this winter, saving my summer car from the salt.

At that price doesn't the car need some maintenance done, like tires, brakes, suspension ?

My personal car is worth about -1000€ because of all the maintenance it needs done to be legal again (and pass an inspection).

Are we talking big money or big decision? If it's money, the biggest thing I've done, I think ever, is a Canon 5Dmk3 camera about 7 years ago, £2300 at the time IIRC. I have some pretty expensive lenses on my wish list, but the only lens I bought new was the 24-105 f/4 L (mk I), and the rest of my glass is the result of a lot of patience on eBay. Like a 200mm f/2.8 L II for under £200. No catch, just a poorly done listing that few people bid on.

As far as big decisions? A Garmin watch. The old Tomtom served me well for 7 years, but the battery doesn't last a day anymore and I've probably spent enough money on replacement straps to buy a whole new watch. This was a much more difficult decision because so much of what makes a sports watch good is the software ecosystem. What its app/web portal provides, and in particular how well it exports to and/or interact with other fitness/health apps. So this involved an awful lot of reading (dcrainmaker, can you be any more verbose) and fretting over details. Garmin wasn't what I had in mind at the start, but it's ultimately what I picked.

The biggest decision of the past year would be to start a new business, and it is kind of a purchase, I mean starting a new business seriously damages one's earnings (but will be made up later in cycle).

And paid off 20% of my mortgage a few months back. nothing to spectacular though.

Not really big in material things, I used to have a BMW, nice machines, but also a lot of cash poured into it.

Kitchen remodel. It was expensive but I'm thrilled with the results.

I'm thinking of moving which is probably a $25,000 decision in my situation, or more.

I spent a lot on travel but the only major "thing" I bought was a range rover in 2017, for $3000. It's really nice and still works well.

An almost new Mini Countryman Cooper SE All4 Hybrid. Just a BMW 2 series, but with the better looks

marcelh wrote:

An almost new Mini Countryman Cooper SE All4 Hybrid. Just a BMW 2 series, but with the better looks

Nice choice didn't know they made a hybrid version.

Remington Model 660 Magnum in 350 Remington Magnum. I've wanted one for 45 and finally found one in great condition that I could afford. The sad thing is that I got my shoulders replaced a year ago so I can't shoot it. It sure is a nice wallhanger, though...

casinterest wrote:

Painting the house


Honestly , it all started with a 100 dollar dinner date. Then there was a ring, then there was a wedding, honeymoon then there was a house, and then another house, then a car, then doctor's appointements. A kid, diapers, another kid, more diapers, formula, babysitting, preschool, sports, cars, family events., yard upkeep, furniture, plumbing,
But it all started with 100 dollars for dinner.

Consider yourself lucky. You got off pretty cheap....so far!

Dutchy wrote:

marcelh wrote:

An almost new Mini Countryman Cooper SE All4 Hybrid. Just a BMW 2 series, but with the better looks

Nice choice didn't know they made a hybrid version.

Me neither. When did the hybrid turn up! Must be quite new.

I don’t think it is sold here.

cpd wrote:

Dutchy wrote:

marcelh wrote:

An almost new Mini Countryman Cooper SE All4 Hybrid. Just a BMW 2 series, but with the better looks

Nice choice didn't know they made a hybrid version.

Me neither. When did the hybrid turn up! Must be quite new.

I don’t think it is sold here.

IIRC with the introduction of the latest model of the Countryman in 2017/18.
225 HP combined and an all-electric range of max 30km. Not as fancy as an all-electric car, but it has the look and feel of a Mini. You don’t find that in a Tesla

We test drove the Countryman Hybrid a few months back. Nice looking car, but ended up going for a low mileage Freelander instead, as it has true 4x4 drive, not the 2 or 2 that the Countryman offers.

Taking out flights and holidays, the last big things we've bought have all been cars. £13,000 for my BMW 3 Series, £15,000 for the Freelander and about £12,000 for my partner's Evoque. Next big purchase is going to be a new roof for the house.

Last big "purchase" was writing a check for $3000 to bail out a relative who was going through hard times. I wanted to buy him, his partner and two kids a bit of breathing space before the electric was turned off. Now I hear he has two jobs and the partner is taking on babysitting to bring in more income so I hope he's turned the corner.

CitizenJustin wrote:

NIKV69 wrote:

Probably going to buy a used BMW in the next month but beside that just a Las Vegas light sign to hang in my office. It only cost $150 bucks.

Nice! I’ve always wanted a BMW. I think they’re designed beautifully. I don’t know much about the engine or any of the specs. Just love the way they look.

IMO managing the maintenance is key to enjoying the BMWs. If it's new and on lease and on a maintenance plan, fine, although really read the maintenance plan and ask a lot of questions about what is and is not covered. If not, do your best to find a 3rd party mechanic. Go to the BMW forums and see who in your area is highly regarded. If you use the BMW maintenance, you will be amazed at how much they will charge for stuff, then try to guilt you out if you don't find the prices to be acceptable ("don't you want your fine BMW automobile to be maintained to the highest standard? etc).

When mine was new I took full advantage of the maintenance program but would hear god-awful arguments between the service writers and customers when they'd be told what it was costing for the service. The service writer's attitude was in general pretty arrogant. A lot of it had to do with disagreements on what the maintenance plans would or would not cover. This is why I wrote what I wrote.

Now my car has been out of plan for over a decade and I found a local mechanic who is great. He races the cars on weekends so he's really good at getting the car fixed right without a lot of pomp and circumstance. The cars will never be cheap to service, but at least I don't feel like you're getting bent over.

[ PS: Now I remember my last big actual purchase, $5500 to drop the engine and replace my transmission with a rebuild. Factory new would have been $7000 ]

I am not in spending mode except for travel as it is really cheap right now. I have plenty saved and continue to save now with this economic recession/depression about to hit! Better to stop big purchases now and keep money in the bank!

[quote="Pi7472000] Better to stop big purchases now and keep money in the bank![/quote]

Which is how you prolong a recession

My iPhone. Didn’t really need it since my old one still works, but AppleCare ran out, repairs are expensive, and I’m a klutz.

Of course, as soon as I buy the new one, they tell me that I can keep AppleCare as long as I keep the phone...so until there are MAJOR leaps forward in smartphone technology — that I can’t even envision — this phone is my baby. Unless a miracle happens. I find Ms. Right, and we make a real one lol.

Marc

Revelation wrote:

Last big "purchase" was writing a check for $3000 to bail out a relative who was going through hard times. I wanted to buy him, his partner and two kids a bit of breathing space before the electric was turned off. Now I hear he has two jobs and the partner is taking on babysitting to bring in more income so I hope he's turned the corner.

Wel done sir