Every few months or so, I make a wants list. It’s exactly what it sounds like. I make a list of anything I could possibly want to buy. I ask myself if this object will bring me joy, if it’s beautiful or useful, if it harms anyone else if I buy it, if it harms the environment if I buy it, and then I calculate the opportunity cost of putting that money into VTSAX and letting it multiply instead of buying the want.
And if I still want the thing the next time I look at my wants list, I buy it. Here are the things that have made the cut recently for my wants list.
1. Clothes
I don’t like shopping, but I need new clothes. My sisters haven’t given me any hand-me-downs in ages and my mom hasn’t bought me anything because of the pandy. My clothes have holes in them and stains on them and I still have a dress from high school. Yup. My clothes are old.
Stitchfix
This company sends you five articles of clothing for a $20 styling fee. If you keep any of the clothes, the styling fee is credited toward your purchase.
This appeals to me because I don’t like picking things out myself.
I’ve used this service once so far and may do it a couple of times more, but the clothes here are expensive. It’s much more than what I normally spend on clothing, which is nothing.
I have to say though, it was fun. It was super fun. The clothes fit really well and were decent quality and new. If you want to try it for free, I can give you this code for $25. I get $25, too, if you try it.
You can google to find codes for $50 or $100 occasionally.
I spent ~$100 here so far on two items (!)
Thredup
I was telling my retired friend about Stitchfix and she recommended Thredup. It’s an online thrift store.
I tried the goody box from here, which is similar to Stitchfix. For $10, a stylist picks out ten items of clothing that they think you would like. The first goody box I tried was a resounding failure in terms of clothes I would actually purchase, but it was still a fun experiment that I’m going to repeat.
The clothes here are so much more reasonably-priced. My mom thinks it’s disgusting to wear used clothes, but it helps answer my hesitation on spending money for clothes because fast fashion is bad for the environment. I don’t know if buying old clothes is a bad idea, but I wash them before I wear them if that helps.
I spent $329.25 on this website in February 2021. So far. Eek! That’s the most I’ve spent on clothes ever. But I got 23 things (!)
I went a little wild on here because everything is such a good deal and I really think it was time for new clothes. I tried a silk top for the first time and it feels so nice on the skin. How have I never worn silk before?
Oh right. Because it’s expensive and you have to dry clean it whenever it gets dirty.
But as long as things aren’t final sale, you can return it and try other things. If you accept store credit for your return, the return shipping is free. There’s also a fun gameification points system that gets you free shipping and no restocking fees.
I’m also Spark Joying/Marie Kondo-ing my apartment again and ThredUp will responsibly recycle or sell your old clothes. They’ll send you a “clean out bag” and pay for shipping.
Here’s ten dollars for this site. I get $10 too if you buy something using that link.
2. Household stuff
Society6
I bought this shower curtain.
It was a splurge, but I love it so much. It gives me so much happiness when I’m in the shower to see the dinosaur protecting me.
This site’s money goes to local artists, but you’ll make yourself crazy trying to figure out the coupon code system. You can only use one at a time, so make sure it’s a good one. There are sales regularly.
I have a code for this website, but you’re only allowed one code per transaction and my coupon code is not great. There are better ones out there you can find by googling/giving them your number or email address.
Offerup/Letgo
I think this app for buying/selling used stuff is becoming more popular than Craigslist. That and Facebook Marketplace are good places to buy used household stuff. I’ve purchased lamps, jewelry armoires, desks, chairs, etc. from it.
I just bought some baskets! I don’t know why, but these give me such joy to look at. Here’s my home gym. I got four baskets for twelve dollars from Let Go/Offer Up.
3) Outdoor adventure series
A friend of mine and I started this series in 2021. Every other week, we go on an adventure.
Manitou Incline
First, we drove to Colorado Springs and climbed the Manitou Incline. It’s a mile of stairs straight up and hard af. This was free.
Cross country skiing
Then, a couple of weekends later, we drove to Winter Park and rented some skiis and wandered around the park on them. It was so fun and I want to try it again. It was a fantastic workout. Cost: ~$40
Snowmobiling
After that, we drove to Winter Park again and rented snowmobiles and drove around the park on them. It was so fun and I want to do it again. Expensive though. Cost: ~$190
Dog sledding
Then, we went dog-sledding. We drove to Breckenridge and met the dogs and drove the sled and sat in the passenger seat. It was so fun! So fun! I highly recommend it. Cost: $140
Suggestions for future adventures?
Snow skiing is a favourite of mine – where I live it’s too warm so have to fly to Europe, but it’s a wonderful activity! Pity it’s too expensive really for a hobby.
Do you like cycling? Mountain biking just on outdoor trails in real mountains is a lot of fun, not expensive at all. Also enjoyed water sports like skiing and kite surfing.
I’ve tried downhill skiing once and I hurt my thumb. I’d be open to trying it again, though, I think. There are definitely people here who would disagree with you that it’s too expensive to be a hobby. Here at least, it’s not hard to go.
Mountain biking sounds hard and I’m afraid of water, but I like where your head is at.
Have you tried snowshoeing? It seems appropriate for Colorado.
Do you enjoy XC skiing enough to purchase a pair? The biggest benefit is you can just go to a nearby park and don’t need a rental location. It’s best if your friend owns a pair as well.
How about two of your bucket list items: Hike the Grand Canyon and find a fossil.
The Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon has reopened after a recent renovation. You need to book over a year in advance via a lottery system. I suggest going in the winter — less crowded and cooler temps.
Alyssa invited you to Nova Scotia to go fossil hunting (I’m assuming that you’ve added her to a spreadsheet but if not it was from a comment she posted a year or two ago.)
She’s probably referencing jogginsfossilcliffs.net on the Bay of Fundy. I would suggest taking her up on her offer.
I’m trying snowshoeing soon. My friend didn’t want to do that for our adventure series because she thought it was boring.
We love snowshoeing, and the equipment is cheaper than most winter sports rigs. You just need the snowshoes, boots, and warm clothes. It’s a great workout and you can more easily traverse terrain that is difficult on xc skis, like wooded hills.
I do want to try it!
I buy almost entirely used clothes (because I love clothes, and it feels like a more affordable/environmentally friendly way to indulge in this love.) I do a lot of eBay shopping, but returns are a little less straightforward if the fit isn’t right. However, if you find something you like elsewhere, just search for that brand and that size and you might be able to find it it in another color or something! 🙂
I have usesd Stitch Fix and wanted to comment that one gets a lot more wear out of clothes that are decent quality than from either fast fashion or used (unless the clothes are VERY gently used). More cost up front but a longer shelf life; this goes double for shoes, btw.
That’s an excellent point. However, I only buy New with Tags or Like New clothing on Thredup. I’ve never bought used shoes, but they do sell them!
Great system! My sister has been raving about ebay lately.
If you can find somewhere that has a luge run, that’s quite the thrill. Watch the movie Cool Runnings first!
I LOVE this idea! Have you done it?
You had been always like this? While you were studying and working? People spend a lot and work longer to cover that….
Appreciate your low expenses…you are spending little and that helps you to stay retired..
Yup, I’ve always been like this!
I bought a keyboard for my laptop recently, kinda simulates having a desktop, which I’ve never had. Cheap (ish) but worth it
Ooh, that’s a good purchase I wouldn’t have thought of.
I love to hike, so hiking up to Pikes Peak would be one.
Ooh, that sounds hard, but worthy.
I was disappointed by the dogsledding, since you’re a fellow animal lover. You should look into the cruelty of it.
Oh dear. I never even thought of that. The dogs looked well taken care of and super happy. They’re adopted out when they get too old to pull the sled. They seem like they have nice lives.
I signed up to thredup then realised it was for women 😂
Ooops. I didn’t realize they didn’t sell men’s clothing. My apologies!
Idea for an adventure; Ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica followed by travelling
I’ve heard stories about Ayahuasca that make me want to try it and also not try it. 🙂
Heh, your shower curtain is terrifying! My reaction would be like, “what if there’s an actual dinosaur hiding behind my curtain???” every time I step into the bathroom.
The loofa says it’s friendly!