I don’t have a lot of stuff and not a lot of expensive stuff, but my top are:

• Instant Pot. I have a tiny kitchen, so being able to do x number of things with one piece of equipment is amazing. Also keeps the heat down in summer instead of oven and gas stove.

• Hiking poles. Got them recently, and they are a game changer. I’ve only ever seen older folks use them, but they got it right. Not only is it easier on my knees, but somehow they feel like they let me go further when I can use my arms as a little push forward.

• Garmin Fenix watch. Keeps me motivated to keep moving, and it serves as a silent wake up alarm so I don’t wake my partner in the early hours.

Honourable mentions:

• A good hand-held flashlight. I use this daily for work and when I go camping. Also great at night when hunting mosquitoes in the bedroom.

• A digital probe thermometer. Also used daily for work, and takes the guesswork out of cooking meats and things at home.

1. inline skates - it is gift from god, period.

2. Supersonic cleaner - it can clean anything, it is simply amazing.

3. Lumix GX80, a M43 camera - it has everything right, the grip, the compactness, easy menu, the mechanical switches…etc on top of that, inexpensive. It allows me to carry it as if it is an action camera.

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Cordless screw driver. Bought the day after building a flat pack bed with a crappy screw.driver that just shredded my hand. Thought it was frivolous at the time, but I’ve used it so much since. It’s light, small enough to fit in my pocket and good for 90% of DIY tasks.

Got a gun from sako the other day it’s cute, it’s small, fits right in my pocket (yeeeeeah right in my pocket)

Real answers tho:

1. Air pump for car tires. I have notoriously bad luck with flats, leaks, etc. This thing has saved me more than a few times.

2. KVM switch. I work from home, this lets me have my work computer and my personal computer connected to the same equipment, and I can toggle between them with either a physical switch or a keyboard hotkey

3. Bit of a curve ball, but therapy. Life’s tough, gotta have some outlets and advice sometimes.

1. Rescue dog - I saved hers and she saved mine.

2. College Education - paying to finish my 4 year degree, life changing

3. 40mhz AMD PC processor /w motherboard. replacement for a christmas gift but it solidified my love of computers and computing. Which lead to my college degree and career.

• usb kvm. Had to often switch my usb devices between my PC and laptop.
• external wifi antenna. Useful for when my laptop’s antenna is not enough.
• electric screwdriver. Saves a lot of time.

In no particular order…

My Panasonic Lumix GX80, it is the camera that made me take a deeper interest and develop my skills in photography. I had a Canon EOS 400D as my first decent camera but due to work my interest fizzled out for a few years. Then at another job I got my GX80, and started learning for real, last spring I upgraded to a Lumix S5, and I am considering complementing my camera setup with a Sony A7 IV for it’s excellent AF.

My Philips Hue system has been absofuckinglutely amazing, I live alone and being able to turn my lights on before I open my apartment door during winter after work really makes a huge impact on my mwntal health, getting to open my front door into a cozy apartment instead of a black hole is fantastic

Sailboat

1. My horse, Lola. She’s an amazing 9yo grey quarter horse mare. “Retired” barrel racer, she’s the perfect trail/ranch horse. She’s got the best quirky and silly demeanor, she loves to hang out, and she’s playful, but never gets crazy under saddle.

2. My guitar. 2012 PRS 513. I absolutely love that guitar, and it got me back into playing after almost 20 years off. It’s my “do everything” guitar, and the difference in sounds between pickup combinations makes it incredibly versatile.

3. A good mattress. I spend a solid 1/3 of my life sleeping (or trying to) and a great mattress helps so much.

You should always invest most in the things you spend the most time doing. With that in mind

1. Sleeping: A great bed with an amazing pillow and heated for the winter
2. Shidding: Custom septic system that converts the ick into fertile soil
3. Gaming: Built my own PC and it’s been absolutely amazing

Best purchase I would have to say is the toaster oven. It can cook everything automatically and it’s damn fast at it.

1. A corporation. Not like “I’m rich and I bought a whole existing business”. Having a lawyer create an empty corporation and then buying it, so I can start a business. It was under two thousand bucks, not even the most expensive item on this list. Made back many times the cost.
2. The Huawei D15 is a good laptop at an excellent price. It’s paid itself off many times over.
3. The Honda Air Blade 125cc 2021 model. Reliable transport at an excellent price, that has paid itself off several times over.

I also bought a used DSLR (Nikon D3200 for ~135$) to better document stuff I do, as a form of marketing. I pick up used, antique lenses for cheap as I encounter them. It’s been profitable and generally great, but doesn’t make top 3.

• A good coffee maker (moccamaster)
• Steam Deck OLED
• Battery powered lawn mower (eGo)

I’m either at my desk studying/working for a good 4-6 hours or I’m on my feet 6-7 hours a day. Keeping that in mind:

1. A really nice office chair. Perforated back, good adjustable lumbar support and head rest, quiet wheels, soft cushion.

2. One of those fold out sofa/bed things. Folds out flat into a giant bed, folds up into a convenient couch thingy. Better than a mattress to sleep on.

3. A good pair (or two) of shoes. Over the years it’s been anything from a cheap pair of skechers to some no name shoes of off amazon to Adidas ultraboosts. Always try in person. Should feel as comfortable as your most comfortable shoes now.

Bonus: a good coffee grinder + v60 pour over + paper filters. Great coffee for under a 100 quid.

1. Full Ton pickup - I had an old half ton and was abusing it.

2. Dump trailer - I can move so much more material, and dump so much faster.

• House
• Herman Miller Mira chair
• Maltron 3D keyboard