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What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
A zero gravity/massage recliner.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Amana Radarange microwave - countless cups of coffee, always hot. Bought it at a store that only sold microwaves, so you know the salesperson was a technical specialist!
"I was born with nothing and I have most of it left."
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
You got a sprinkler system for $1000?fly fisher wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:47 pm Easily the best ~$1k I ever spent was for a sprinkler system for our “lawn” in the dry Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Prior to the sprinkler system we would drag hoses around the property after work all summer. The first evening the sprinklers engaged we enjoyed gin and tonics on the porch.
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Season ski pass and new AT skis
Without question this changed my life. Retired, fit and healthy at 59, I went from mediocre skier to expert and just went heli-skiing for the first time (that cost $62, yes, $62). I skied 4 to 5 times per week (cross-country skate sking, downhill, and alpine touring). I made a heap of new friends, all older, expert skier like myself. Not for everyone, but think about some gear that will add joy, fitness, friends and endorphins to your life.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Nine ideas, some already mentioned:
A puppy was the first and the best answer, though.
- Puppy
- High-end iPhone
- Pellet grill
- Season tickets (local university sports, symphony, museum, local events)
- Lessons/coaching in a sport, musical instrument, or hobby that you enjoy
- A basic home weightlifting setup
- Cordless lawnmower & spin trimmer
- Audiophile headphones and a streaming music subscription
- Have your auto professionally detailed
A puppy was the first and the best answer, though.
Tilterati
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
I hate to be that guy but I'm going to be that guy.
First off, most breeders typically charge, at minimum, several thousand dollars for a purebred puppy. Prior to Covid, owners would bring in Frenchies that would easily sell at $5,000 a pop.
Okay, then what about adoption? Your best best is to go through a rescue that covers spay/neuter, initial (or all) vaccines, and initial deworming/fecal tests. For instance, a national rescue near me covers all of that for a cheap adoption fee.
That said, puppies easily come with parasites, upper respiratory tract infections, etc at minimum. Medications and veterinary visits are contingent upon the local cost of living.
Let's say you take your puppy to the dog park and it's bit. Sedation and bite wound repair/treatment? $600-1200 easily. What if it steps on some glass and lacerates a toe? $600-800.
What if the puppy comes down with something more serious? The ER I work at charges $139 for the initial exam fee. X-rays (with radiology consult) are $354, closer to $500 if we need to stat them. Blood work is $242. A parvo test is $95. These are all starting diagnostics and do not include any treatment.
Emergency abdominal surgery for a sock ingestion? Used to be $4000-6000 out the door, now closer to $6000-8000. CareCredit is your friend. Torn ACL? Several thousand per knee (50% of these cases blow out their other knee as well). Back surgery for a Corgi/Frenchie/Dachshund? $6000-8000 for the back, add $2000 for the neck.
For routine preventative care, a rabies vaccine, distemper/parvo/lepto, bordetella/kennel cough vaccine, heartworm test, and 12 months of heartworm/flea prevention will easily cost $600-800. Those are minimum annual costs.
If the dog has allergies, a referral to a local dermatologist is easily $1000/visit.
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
In summary - $1000 for a puppy? Yes, for the first 6-12 months if you do your homework and you're lucky. Otherwise this estimate is wholly unrealistic.
NB: these are prices in a MCOL to HCOL area. However, while some LCOL areas offer much cheaper options, I often do find that you get what you pay for.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Down payment on a really, really good bike.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
For me, it was the $900 espresso machine I splurged on at the beginning of the year. It's been a great treat to make my own espresso based drinks every day, and it's kept me out of coffee shops for the most part (which is saving both time and money--hey, it's practical too!).
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
A Sole F63 treadmill. I paid $850 and got free shipping and assembled it myself. We use it daily. Big quality of life improvement.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
So going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…modest_man wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Based on a recent story I just saw about Peter Thiel, it seems the best quality of life improvement for $1000 is depositing into a Roth IRA and over a course of 22 years turning it into $5,000,000,000.
Last edited by Jags4186 on Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Lobster...Plenty of it!
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
I'd probably spend some on a gift for my spouse, maybe flowers, and turn the rest into "cash" as runner3081 suggests.
Retired 2019. So far, so good. I want to wake up every morning. But I want to die in my sleep. Just another conundrum. I think the solution might be afternoon naps ;)
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
If you take $1000 and invest it with an outsized 10% per year return annually averaged, you will have a whopping $8000 after 22 years.
Obviously if you invest in one of the highest-flying stocks over those 22 years, you'll have a chance at approaching Peter Thiel.
I've bought and held Apple for 22 years, and it's not even worth over half the zeros in the number you gave
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Forget buying things... Take a vacation somewhere special.
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Yakport, $1,200. It attaches to the dock and you can launch the canoe or kayaks and get back on the dock without getting wet.
https://www.yakport.com/?utm_medium=cpc ... vXEALw_wcB
With our shoreline it was almost impossible to launch then return to land with those boats.
https://www.yakport.com/?utm_medium=cpc ... vXEALw_wcB
With our shoreline it was almost impossible to launch then return to land with those boats.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Depends on several factors. My short answer is 'no.' Just prior to the great recession, I graduated with a $130,000 in student debt and started my first full-time position at $68,000/year.nigel_ht wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:59 amSo going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…modest_man wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
Nowadays, vet school costs upward to $200,000 - $250,000. Vets are making more, but nowhere near enough to justify the debt load. There are ways to make really good money, but those individuals are typically the exception to the rule.
In addition, take a look at the statistics regarding suicide among veterinarians https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/ ... .254.1.104
Just my 0.02
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Ugh...that's terrible. Well, we are puppy-less but plan on getting one eventually. When we do, we'll be extra nice to our vet.modest_man wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 4:14 pmDepends on several factors. My short answer is 'no.' Just prior to the great recession, I graduated with a $130,000 in student debt and started my first full-time position at $68,000/year.nigel_ht wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:59 amSo going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…modest_man wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
Nowadays, vet school costs upward to $200,000 - $250,000. Vets are making more, but nowhere near enough to justify the debt load. There are ways to make really good money, but those individuals are typically the exception to the rule.
In addition, take a look at the statistics regarding suicide among veterinarians https://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/full/ ... .254.1.104
Just my 0.02
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
I think something exercise related or family related would be best, but I would buy a couple bottles of Kirkland Signature branded "Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky" by Alexander Murray for $40 each, as well.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
How about one at home?SimonJester wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 9:55 am Forget buying things... Take a vacation somewhere special.
Currently lounging with kids in an over ground pool. 75 degrees perfect weather. Cost $600 last year. Cheaper now I think. Including all other pool stuff, still under $1k.
Lounging at home in a pool, with or without the kids, priceless!
“At some point you are trading time you will never get back for money you will never spend.“ |
“How do you want to spend the best remaining year of your life?“
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
If you like to cook: High quality Japanese single edge cooking knifes. Took me a long time to finally invest, what a change!
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Espresso machine.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Personal trainer- focus on your health account.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Ikon Pass - problem is I’m skiing so much now I’ve collect 3 pairs of new skis for the various resorts and conditions. Like anything it can get out of hand…but skiing drives my highest quality of life.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Or alternatively, get a shelter dog for a $165 donation and the other $835 will probably carry you for years, though it probably won't when the dog gets older. However, while we spent ~$5k on our most recent dog's end of life care, by then we would have spent $50k without hesitation *if* it was really going to cure her, not just make her suffer longer (the big catch with old dog care). $165 for an unbelievable dog, got comments on her on every long walk her whole life: 'wow'. A beautiful Dogo Argentino mix (pure breed puppies are a few $1k AFAIK not $1k), *plus* the nicest dog ever. Still hard to figure why she was available, though was kind of scary looking (some bad person cut off her ears to make her look like even tougher), maybe that's why she spent a long time in the shelter.modest_man wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pmI hate to be that guy but I'm going to be that guy.
In summary - $1000 for a puppy? Yes, for the first 6-12 months if you do your homework and you're lucky. Otherwise this estimate is wholly unrealistic.
NB: these are prices in a MCOL to HCOL area. However, while some LCOL areas offer much cheaper options, I often do find that you get what you pay for.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
This. My dad built a grass level deck out of redwood attached to the Garage. After a while he made a slatted roof over the deck. Nice outdoor rocking chairs. A picnic table. It was a wonder full place to eat, relax, laugh and njoy backyard creatures. Since dad built it (not that handy) it was not that expensive. All the men in the neighborhood watched him and told him it would never work. Bit it did. Made momvery happy?Prahasaurus wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 7:28 amDo you have a garden? There are lots of garden improvement projects that you can do together that will totally transform your yard, improve your quality of life, and impact your home resell value.carloslando wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:55 pm We have received an unexpected $1000 bonus. It is a gift card to spend on any purchase, so looking for spending ideas, else would have VTSAX'ed it away.
Wanted to spend it on something that improves our quality of life at home. Any recommendations for what you would buy (or have bought), that costs around $1000-$1200 and is something most or all members of your family enjoy?
You can spend the money on proper garden tools (shovel, rake, wheel barrow, etc., as required), new plants, compost for the soil, a composter, mulch, etc. You could also add outdoor seating, hammock, basic lighting, etc. to compliment your new design. Even a greenhouse could work within this budget, if you are keen on growing your own veggies (healthier, cheaper). Really depends on what you have now, obviously, and what you'd like to do.
My wife and I recently transformed our garden. It has made a huge difference in our quality of life, as now we have an outdoor living room where we spend most of our day, surrounded by beautiful plants, with grapevines growing overhead to shield us from the sun. We added a dining table and chairs on the other side of the house, and we use that much more than our indoor dining table, at least from May through November. Since we did all of the garden work ourselves, it wasn't that expensive. For example, the large (over 2m!) sunflower plants that help shield us from the neighbors cost a whopping 1 Euro, as we planted them from seeds and they grew out completely within 2 months. All of the plants together cost around 500 Euro (probably about 40-50 plants in total), extensive mulching another 200 Euro, some vases for the patio, etc. The dining table and chairs were 150 Euro.
No, 1000 USD won't be enough if you go crazy, but just transforming one unused garden nook into a dining area or sitting area with beautiful, fragrant plants that attract bees and butterflies will do wonders for the soul. And it was a lot of fun to make it come together.
Last edited by Dottie57 on Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Why use poles?BogleFan510 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Re: Season ski pass and new AT skis
But you didn’t tell us how you became expert and what the money was spent on.FrogPerson wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:18 pm Without question this changed my life. Retired, fit and healthy at 59, I went from mediocre skier to expert and just went heli-skiing for the first time (that cost $62, yes, $62). I skied 4 to 5 times per week (cross-country skate sking, downhill, and alpine touring). I made a heap of new friends, all older, expert skier like myself. Not for everyone, but think about some gear that will add joy, fitness, friends and endorphins to your life.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Some of us are old.Dottie57 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:19 amWhy use poles?BogleFan510 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Even young, sometimes they are handy and most fold up. Especially with heavier packs and terrain.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
My dad was a vet. 40 years ago he told me he had to make 10k per day to just open the doors f the clinic. Xray machines and other equipment are expensive. So are technicians, taxes, insurance and rent.nigel_ht wrote: ↑Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:59 amSo going to vet school is a good plan? Darn, it’s 8+ years away for my high schooler…modest_man wrote: ↑Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:07 pm
Currently, the veterinary industry is strained. ER wait times are typically 6-8 hours for stable patients. General practices are often closed to new patients and book several weeks in advance. In fact, several general practices are closing because retirees can't find buyers.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
I'll let my knees answer that one. "Pop, crack, pop!"Dottie57 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:19 amWhy use poles?BogleFan510 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Concept2 ERG Rower. $900 + $45 shipping + Tax.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
We call this sort of cash "memory money." My wife and I just spent about that much on some good tickets to see Eric Clapton on his upcoming tour. I know we'll remember it for years.
VTI: 50%, QQQM: 30%, VO: 10%, VB: 10%
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Getting rid of my lawn and replacing it with $1,000 worth of landscape rock. Instead of weekly mowing, dealing with the clippings, dealing with maintaining the mower, ending up smelling like exhaust fumes and grass clippings, etc. I just have to blow off the rocks with a battery-powered leaf blower once per month into a small corner pile and bag it up. The time spent went from about 30 minutes per week to 15 minutes per month.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
They help prevent stubles on steep sections, especially downhill on loose gravel or mud. Also, using poles helps prevent back injury and works arms for a more total body workout, much like cross country skiing.Dottie57 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:19 amWhy use poles?BogleFan510 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
removed
Last edited by BogleFan510 on Fri Jul 09, 2021 5:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Switching from philips steam station to resmed airsense 10 cpap.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
The Garmin Instinct and Garmin Instinct Solar models are pretty fantastic also.orlandoguy wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:08 pm Apple Watch - $399 and up. Fantastic for fitness tracking.
I've long ago learned not to look for happiness from electronic gadgets, but if you are an athlete or have pretentions to be one, the new breed of sports watches really have a lot to offer. And they are a lot cheaper than hiring a personal trainer.
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Kind of random - but Lutron Caseta light switches have been a game changer. Interior and exterior lights auto scheduled. Really convenient when traveling. Also because, you know, it's super hard to flip switches these days
But at ~$60/ea they add up quick.
But at ~$60/ea they add up quick.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
A weekly/bi-weekly cleaning service, if you don't already have one.
Some sort of outdoor/patio improvement that will allow your family to really enjoy the backyard (comfy new outdoor furniture, fire pit, pergola/shade structure, etc).
Weekend getaway.
Upgrade equipment for an existing hobby.
As many massages as you can get.
Some sort of outdoor/patio improvement that will allow your family to really enjoy the backyard (comfy new outdoor furniture, fire pit, pergola/shade structure, etc).
Weekend getaway.
Upgrade equipment for an existing hobby.
As many massages as you can get.
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? |
~Mary Oliver
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Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
+1.
Vacuuming. Before a robot vacuum, the dust bunnies were taking over. Now, I've got them on the run.
Sweeping went from a "When I could no longer stand to look at dust bunnies" chore, to "Push the button, Max." simple.
A self-emptying base means I only empty unit once/month. (Monthly cleaning of base and robot vacuum takes ~15mins.)
Believe all models are <$1K.
Dusting. Use a hand-held dust mop and hair dryer (long extension cord) to agitate/remove dust from furniture/fixtures and blow it onto floor, before starting robot vacuum.
Combined. A dusting/vacuuming cycle use to take 2hrs, I hated it, and needed a shower afterwards. So I postponed the chore as long as possible. Now dusting takes ~2mins/room and vacuuming is no longer my job. Sweet.
d.r.a., not dr.a. | I'm a novice investor; you are forewarned.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
There's always the battery powered leaf blower option if you didn't want to drag around the extension corddratkinson wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:07 pm
Dusting. Use a hand-held dust mop and hair dryer (long extension cord) to agitate/remove dust from furniture/fixtures and blow it onto floor, before starting robot vacuum.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Pellet grill, Traeger Pro 575.
Fired up and chicken prepped on my lunch break. Smoked chicken ready for dinner with zero effort, aside from turning off the grill on my phone, after grill sent the notification, during my conference call.
Fired up and chicken prepped on my lunch break. Smoked chicken ready for dinner with zero effort, aside from turning off the grill on my phone, after grill sent the notification, during my conference call.
Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Another vote for the Concept2 Rower. I'm about to pull the trigger on getting one instead of going back to my fitness club. Will supplement with continued biking and lots of walking.