What's the best purchase you ever made?

[debm55]

[MiHale]

1. My wife's wedding ring...

Kicked the ball down the hill.

[debm55]

2. Thank you very much, MiHale.

[3catwoman3]

48. What a sweet answer!

[Brainstormy]

3. a RoboVac

and then two more for the other floors.

[debm55]

5. Thank you very much for sharing with us, Brainstormy.

[Polly Hennessey]

4. The fees I paid for all of my rescue pets.

[debm55]

6. Thank you Polly Henessey. Great investment.

[Goonch]

7. My 1996 Toyota Tercel still runs like new

[debm55]

10. Thank you very much Goonch for sharing. Nice car.

[SheltieLover]

53. Nice!

[chouchou]

8. Money to DemocraticUnderground.

Wouldn't swear that's it the very best but, definitely in the top 5

[debm55]

11. I agree. thank you very much chouchou.

[rzemanfl]

9. When my granddaughter was a little girl

I bought her a big toy stuffed dolphin from Bass Pro Shops for Christmas. She and it have been pretty much inseparable ever since. She is doing an internship this summer before starting her senior year in college. The dolphin is in her temporary apartment. That toy has traveled to Europe and been on many airplanes and cruise ships. It's been in her dorm, college apartment, and sorority house. When she finished high school, I bought her identical one, but it has ended up being a backup, not a replacement.

[debm55]

12. What a great post. Thank you very much for sharing with us, rzemanfl

[justaprogressive]

13. The ounce of grass

that paid the reverend for our wedding ceremony.....

[debm55]

15. HAHAHAHAHAH. You are too much, justaprogressive.

[NNadir]

14. Rental on a cabin in a redwood grove to stay in Big Sur on the "first big date" with my new girlfriend and future wife.

I have never forgotten the night we spent there, where I broke out an expensive bottle of wine I'd been saving for years for when, (and if) I ever fell in requited love again.

[debm55]

16. Thank you very much for sharing, NNadir. Great post.

[The Blue Flower]

17. My rescue pup

The local SPCA had a program matching senior dogs with senior people. The adoption fee was lowered to $50. She was a neurotic mess when I brought her home, but that was six years ago. She's a treasure now.

[debm55]

18. Thank you very much for sharing. The Blue Flower. A wonder buy, a forever friend.

[murielm99]

19. My Volvo,

which is now twenty years old. I am never giving it up!

[debm55]

20. Thank you very much, murielm99. It sounds like you have a great car.

[lastlib]

21. An AST Research Premmia 80486 desktop computer

(1993). My skill with it got me two successively better jobs, so that single purchase put a good amount of money in my pocket, more than paid for it, even adjusted for inflation.

[debm55]

22. Wow. Thank you very much. Congratulations on you better jobs.

[Emile]

23. My wife would say probably me. She tells

everyone I'm one and half times the size I was when she married me.

[debm55]

24. HAHAHHAHHAHAHAH. Thank you very much, Emile

[bottomofthehill]

27. I am in the same boat

I blame her baking. I cook most of the meals but she bakes, pies, cakes, breads, cookies, my total weakness, she makes hermit bars once a month and they are gone in an instant. Anything I buy for my wife is my best purchase, she rarely spends money on herself. She always amazes me.

[debm55]

30. You have an angel bottomofthehil.

[bottomofthehill]

31. She is my rock

Never ceases to amaze me! She has graced me with children which led to grand-children, rescue dogs, my mental health, she is my everything.

[chowmama]

25. My chow chow

The great dog of my life. The dog we should have known better than to buy.

DH was working nights and wanted me to have a dog for protection. Cash-strapped as usual, we went to a backyard breeder who turned out to have puppy-mill aspirations, but only had a breeding pair. The pups were all overage for selling - it seems other buyers knew better than we did. I looked up the AKC records later and found out not a single other pup from that litter was ever registered. Now, not everybody registers their purebred dogs, but there should have been at least one. I know they wouldn't have paid for euthanasia and hope desperately that they were dropped off at the Humane Society.

The canine parents were penned outside and obviously unsocialized. The pups had been separated from the mom and placed in the basement for inspection. They had to be dragged out from behind the furnace by main force. One of them was nearly catatonic with fear.

DH and I left and discussed the matter. (We have a standing tradition that we don't buy anything important without leaving the premises and talking first. We go back the next day if we're still interested.) I was worried and didn't want to reward these people for their misdeeds.

DH argued that we couldn't leave them there and had to rescue one - he wanted the one in the worst condition. And we got Autumn.

I won't get into the whole history, because it would take waayyy too long. Physically, she was fine. Mentally, she was in horrific shape. But she managed to bond with us and didn't turn into a fear-biter. She was scared to death and did it anyway because she trusted us. She went through obedience classes. We walked around the lake. She learned to have fun. She stood between fighting cats, between screaming infants and the hapless individual who was trying to jolly them out of it. If anybody, even a stranger, sneezed in my house, she licked them until she nearly drowned them in dog spit, because that would help. She just wanted everybody to get along.

I could have done everything I did to work with her and failed. It was all her. She was the one who had the courage to trust me.

She was the bravest dog I will ever know.

[bottomofthehill]

28. Amazing rescue story!

Great dog for you!

[debm55]

32. Thank you very much, chowmama. What a post with a wonderful ending. I admire both you and your husband for taking Autumn

and giving her the love, care and training she needed.

[MIButterfly]

34. That is such a touching story.

It sounds like Autumn was an amazing dog despite her sad beginning. I'm sure you had more to do with it than you know. Your DH's instinct was exactly right. How kindhearted to feel that he couldn't just leave a pup in that situation.

[BigMin28]

26. Bought tickets

For my Mom's birthday, to see Rod Stewart in 1993. They were expensive. Second row. The happiness that brought her was the best money I ever spent. She still talks about that night. I won't say her age, but I'm her youngest at 62.

[debm55]

33. Thank you BigMin28. What a wonderful gift for your mom. Thank you for sharing.

[kimbutgar]

29. My dryer died after I washed a my pillow in it and it burst and the pieces ruined the motor

I went to Lowe’s and they had this washer dryer set of two different colors. That someone brought and returned. The set was priced at $1300. The manager said she had to get it off the floor and said she’s sell them to me for $250. I thought it was $250 for each piece and still thought it was a deal. When she started to do the paper work it was $250 for both pieces plus $189 for delivery, installation and takeaway of the old . It came to $489 after taxes. I usually have an agreement that if I spend over $100 with the exception of food I tell my husband. It’s also reciprocal with him. I left Lowe’s and called him and he was shocked I got that set for $489. It’s still working strong after 8 years!

[debm55]

37. Wow, that is wonderful. Thank you for your post, kimbutgar. That was fantastic.

[EarthAbides]

35. Obama's Cash for Clunkers

In 2009 I was able to purchase a brand new NIssan Versa and trade in the car, a Lincoln/Mercury Cougar I inherited from my dad. The Nissan was listed at $12,000 and I got it for $7,000! It is a very basic car, no power windows, no automatic locks and no power seats. That car is still going strong 16 years later!

[debm55]

38. Thank you very much EarthAbides. That is great. Good for you.

[Callie1979]

36. My Otterbox cell phone case has to. be one of them.

One of my better decisions. Probably has saved me $10000 over the last few years.

[debm55]

39. Thank you very much, Callie and for sharing with us. That is alot of money. Congratulations.

[Dorothy V]

40. Hubby's hearing aids

Mr. Stubborn was very nearly deaf but didn't want to spend money on hearing aids. He was getting withdrawn since he couldn't hear people unless we nearly screamed at him. In desperation, knowing I'd never get him to an audiologist, I went on Amazon and got him a couple of hearing amplifiers for about $250. He was dubious but I'd spent money so he figured he might as well try them ...
The smile that spread over his face was and is priceless! One ear was not helped, it was profoundly deaf, but the other ear! - he could hear footsteps, water running, cars passing on the street, and I didn't have to holler and yell to be heard! We could have normal convos again! He came out of that shell in record time!
I still get tears in my eyes when I recall that smile!

[debm55]

44. Oh Dorothy V. what a wonderful post. May his memories be a blessing to you. Love. Debbie

[surfered]

41. Our lot in this little beach town with a view of the Gulf of Mexico

We paid it off over 5 years then built our home 38 years ago.

[debm55]

47. Wonderful, surfered. Thank you for sharing with us.

[Cirsium]

42. Saturn

My Saturn Ion is 20 years old now. 5 speed stick shift, 40 MPG, 150,000, no major repairs (oil change, tires, battery, and a mouse chewed on a wire.) The CD player doesn't work any more. I spilled coffee on it. It was bought new, a cash and carry deal.

It may outlive the Republic.

[debm55]

45. Thank you very much. Cirsium, great buy for you.

[TommieMommy]

43. My toaster oven, crockpot and the George Foreman grill. 👍

Also my Rav 4 😁

[debm55]

46. Thank you TommieMommy. for sharing with us. You have a great list of kitchen helpers.

[LogDog75]

49. 2007 Honda CR-V

It has about 90,000 miles on it and hasn't had many problems. The only two major repairs was the air conditioner and the starter. Other than than, it keeps on going.

[drmeow]

50. The services of an excellent

landscape contractor and the plants to convert at least 1/2 of the grass in my old Arizona house to desert landscaping: year round color and a haven for butterflies and hummingbirds.

[vapor2]

51. My 3 Yorkies

[elleng]

52. Rabbit.

[SheltieLover]

54. 1990 Acura Legend. Picked it up a year ago.

Worth a fortune, but rides & drives exceptionally well. Gs is restoring.

[debm55]

58. Wow, that is great.SheltieLover. You are lucky. I hope the restoration goes great.

[SheltieLover]

59. Thx

[dickthegrouch]

55. My third Subaru

It's a Crosstrek, the light blue one; I absolutely love it.
I'm very loathe to part with it but I have to decide whether to keep it for the rest of my life, or invest in a new one soon.
7 yrs old and 75000 miles (the car, I'm 68yo and 500,000 miles )

[debm55]

61. HAHAHAHHAHAHA. Thank you dickthegrouch. Love your post. We are Subaru, folks here. Right now, we have two.Haven't had

other makes for a long time.

[global1]

56. Leafguard Rain Gutters....

Hadn't had to get on a ladder to clean my gutters in years. Best decision I've made.

[debm55]

62. We got them too. We are in our 70s and too old to be climbing ladders. My cousins husband fell off the ladder and fell

on his back. He is 40 and paralyzed from the neck down.

[multigraincracker]

57. I was headed over to friends antique store and

saw two guys carrying an antique claw foot table out to the curb. Asked if they were getting rid of it. They said yes and I could have it. They even loaded it on my truck, all for free.
Got to her store with the table in the back of the truck and a couple asked if the table was for sale. I said yes for $350 if you unload it. They did and I never touched it.

[debm55]

64. Well that was an easy way of making $350. Good for you multigraincracker. Congratulations.

[boonecreek]

60. My '01 Acura 3.2 CL Type S bought in August of ' 01.

Just had it reshod a week ago this past Friday. A few years back it had a problem
with being reluctant to start in warm weather but that was resolved by replacing
a few sensors. BTW, boy are tires expensive! And these aren't Michelin or Pirelli all weather
tires but U.S. made Master Crafts.

[debm55]

65. Thank you so much for your post, boonecreek. Yep, tires are very expensive. so glad they fixed the sensors on the car.

[CaptainTruth]

63. A plane ticket to Europe to meet a fascinating lady I met online...

... who soon became the love of my life & my wife.

And, yes it's a distant second, but I'll never regret jumping on a deal & paying $400 for a 1975 natural finish Fender Jazz bass in barely-played condition, with a 100 watt 15" Peavy Amp included. It sounds incredible & today it's worth 10x what I paid for it. I'm mainly a 6-string player but that guitar makes it a joy to record bass parts, it just sounds perfect.

[debm55]

66. Thank you very much for sharing about the plane ticket to meet your wife and your Fender Jazz bass. Wonderful. Are you

living in Europe with the love of your life or here in the states?

[CaptainTruth]

75. She moved to the US to be with me, which still amazes me.

It makes me love her all the more.

[debm55]

76. A true journey of love, thank you Captain Truth.

[AllaN01Bear]

67. mini plumbing snakes for drain.

on the end caps of aisle in stores , with as seen on tv. cant find them any more . also a god paiir of cheap sunglasses.

[debm55]

68. Bear, you might find at the Dollar stores, around here they have a hardware section and you can get you sunglasses.

[Jeebo]

69. I bought a new Toyota Celica in 1986.

That Celica was the best car I've ever had. Had it for 14 years and 220,000 miles. Would've bought another one but by then Toyota wasn't making them any more. I have some other things that I don't use very often, but when I do need them, I'm really glad I have them. For example, a device that plugs into my cigarette lighter and pumps up my tires. A portable fold-up chair. My first VCR, a Betamax that I bought in December 1977, a little before the VHS format came out, and wow, did I ever get a lot of use out of that thing. I'd have to think some more about this; I'm sure I can think of more things.

-- Ron

[debm55]

72. Thank you very much for sharing with us. Jeebo.

[Jamastiene]

70. It's a tie.

In 1988, I got my Charvel Model 2 (Baby Blue is its name and it is still "stock" today) and my Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber Plus with a custom Marshall 4x12 with 8 ohm Vintage Celestions. Someone had special ordered it and did not pick it up. I jumped at the chance to get it. I never needed another amp. I did buy more guitars, but I always wanted to do that.

[debm55]

73. Wow, Thank you very much, Jamastiene thank you for sharing with us.

[Figarosmom]

71. Heated mattress pad

Hands down the best thing I've ever bought.

[debm55]

74. I was thinking of buying one last winter. thank you figarosmom. for sharing.

[Figarosmom]

91. Its really good for aching bones

Too. Sore backs etc. Heating pads are not made to lay on or lean back on, but a heated mattress pad is. And it is nice and cozy in the winter with the thermostat down a few degrees.

[debm55]

93. Thank you very much for sharing that with me.

[Norrrm]

77. Vlad Putin says::: Donald J Trump

[debm55]

79. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHH.

[UpInArms]

78. An 1874 Steinway

for $15

[debm55]

80. Wow, Terrific UpinArms.thanks for sharing. How did you get it for $15?

[UpInArms]

87. I went to an auction in 2006

About 5 hours away from me … in my Volkswagen vanagon with 2 friends … it was an estate of an antique dealer … so much cool stuff …

I had been wanting a piano and the one there was freaking gorgeous … one of my friends sat down and started playing on it and … the sound was astounding … I said “that’s the one!”

I had stepped away to do something because I thought the piano would not sell for a bit and and I was coming back, I heard the auctioneer calling the piano … it was at $12.50 and I started yelling that I had a bid … so the price went to my bid of $15 … no one else bid and I was ecstatic… I got my piano!

When I got to my friends, they said that since I was gone, they had put the $12.50 bid in for me … so I actually bid against myself 🤣

After a long night, we had so much stuff to load into the van, it was overwhelming … but I figured that if I took all of the peripheral things off, the piano could be loaded on its back and slid into the van and we could gently load everything on top of it and still fit the 3 of us into the van.

Left the auction at 11:30 at night (this was before I even had a cellphone) so my hubby was fairly frantic about where I was … got home after 3 in the morning… he was waiting up for me … all I could do was say that I had the most amazing piano in the van (still mostly full of stuff) and went to bed …

The next morning, we went and inspected and saw the serial number … I put it in google … and it said

“How to date your Steinway” … I almost passed out …

It is the most beautiful and amazing piano and my hubby plays it … made of Brazilian rosewood, with elaborate carvings … one of my best treasures ever ❤️

ETA … it took 4 big iowa farm guys to load it, and 8 of us to unload it

[debm55]

89. Wow. what a great story. You are so very lucky. I was wondering how you got it home. Thank you very much Upin Arms.

[Botany]

81. My Labrador, Mac

[debm55]

82. Thank you very much for sharing, Mac with us. Botany.

[Botany]

83. Mac is long gone as is the black lab from the same kennel Fluebie and I am onto the blond female, Pepita

BTW when Mac was a puppy a girl I was dating gave me a choice between her and the pup.

[debm55]

85. Thank you Botany. I would have taken the pup over a girl that would give you such a choice. Have fun with Pepita.

[Botany]

88. The girl was an actress and had done some modeling and it was no choice @ all.

I used to have “some game.”

Mac passed @ 13 in my arms.

[debm55]

90. I am glad Mac was with you and you picked the dog instead of the girl.

[ms liberty]

105. My goodness, he was one handsome boi! And the best boi too, I bet.

[brush]

84. My wife and I bought a reposessed center hall colonial from the bank...

and spent eight years fixing it up. Sold it later. Did ok.

[debm55]

86. Thank you brush. I bet it was beautiful when it was finished.

[Niagara]

92. In no certain order:

1. These awesome non stick silicone muffin pans that I make my egg bites in that I purchased from Amazon. I absolutely hate, hate, hate washing, soaking and scrubbing egg out of tin muffin pans. The egg mixture still goes through baking cups too. Scrubbing and soaking and more scrubbing and soaking is not my idea of a good time.






2. This 16 quart Greek Chef air fryer/toaster oven. I can bake, roast, cook, broil food items in this puppy without heating up the house in the summer time.




3. A bottle of Rain-X Water Repellent for the vehicle windshield. Love this stuff!



4. Money well spent on a divorce many moons ago.

[debm55]

94. Those are great Niagara. I love the air fryer. I wrote down the name and will be looking it up at Amazon,Thank you very

much. PS Did you get the air fryer at Amazon???

[Niagara]

97. I love the air fryer too, Debbie. Yes, I did purchase it from Amazon

I've had it for almost a year and I love it.

As I post this it's currently priced at $129.99 and it's normally priced at $159.99


Here's the link if you're interested.

https://www.amazon.com/Geek-Chef-Convection-Countertop-Accessories/dp/B0C42GYMX5/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=TAC49&content-id=amzn1.sym.255b3518-6e7f-495c-8611-30a58648072e%3Aamzn1.symc.a68f4ca3-28dc-4388-a2cf-24672c480d8f&pf_rd_p=255b3518-6e7f-495c-8611-30a58648072e&pf_rd_r=QCPCD1TH6S8HQB6AEJPJ&pd_rd_wg=4nPXd&pd_rd_r=ed036c03-4afe-441a-83cb-6021b3d4f2d1&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d&th=1

[debm55]

100. Thank you very much Niagara. Is there a special cook book I need to buy.?

[Niagara]

104. You're welcome, Debbie. There's no special cookbook that you need to buy

My best advice is to follow the instruction manual and keep an eye out on the food cooking once you become use to the way it cooks.


I never use aluminum foil in this fryer but I'm a habitual parchment paper user.


The food is going to cook on a lower temperature setting and way less time compared to a regular stove.


When I bake/roast chicken thighs or breasts, it's generally on 300F on bake for about 17 to 22 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Obviously chicken tenders are much smaller and need less time to bake.


When I make my Keto pizza or cookies it's still set on a lower temperature and less time compared to a regular stove.

My go to temperature seems to be about 300F for anything that I bake.

[LuckyCharms]

95. Those silicone muffin pans are amazing.

Hi Niagara!

[Niagara]

98. Thank you, Lucky! My hands, arms, elbows and my mind think those silicone muffin pans are amazing too!

Hi Lucky!

[LuckyCharms]

106. They make a lot of silicone products/tools to use when working with wood glue.

Wet glue wipes off clean, and dried glue just peels off!

Here's an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Rockler-Silicone-Glue-3pce-57691/dp/B0749JLW47

[Niagara]

108. I had no idea!

That's fantastic!

[LuckyCharms]

96. First thing that comes to mind...a 10 inch Hitachi miter saw

I got a few decades of use out of this thing. Thousands of perfect cuts.

[Niagara]

99. Nice! Don't forget, measure once and cut twice!

I'm only teasing!

[debm55]

101. Thank you very much,Lucky Charms.

[LuckyCharms]

102. Thanks for your good OP, Deb.

[debm55]

112. You are welcome, Lucky Charms.

[CountAllVotes]

103. My house!

I was on a waiting list for ten years and my name finally came up and that is how I got the house I am now living in!

[debm55]

111. Thank you very much CountAllVotes. Wonderful news. Enjoy your new home

[johnp3907]

107. Gibson Flying V in 1985.

Still the guitar I play the most, even though I’ve had to glue the neck back on several times.
Now they have a replica model:
https://www.gibson.com/en-US/p/Electric-Guitar/80s-Flying-V/Ebony?srsltid=AfmBOoqpnJot6KaRaRWcUXfT1iYfkDaMhUe-9GtLW0z5c_jGTRiEcTnX

[debm55]

115. But johnp3907. You have an original. thank you very much for sharing.

[beveeheart]

109. My 1st Cuisinart in 1977

I was just getting ready to start baking cheesecakes and cakes and pies for a local restaurant. I made the desserts from my home and transported them to the restaurant (back then you could do that).
On my 4th Cuisinart now.

[debm55]

114. Thank you very much beveeheart. Thank you for sharing the cooking skills and your Cuisinart. I got one as a wedding gift

in 1979.

[electric_blue68]

110. It dawned on me Just a few posts Before captain truth (since they did it first) I could mention an experience instead...

of a thing. So...

Saving up for, and going across The US from NYC to San Fransisco in stages by bus. I was 26, and much of the memories remain vivid. I also wrote a journal. They had a deal of 150$ for a 2 week pass. You could get on, and off as often as you liked!

I watched the landscape change, and get flatter, eventually less trees in the Texas panhandle, and finally dirt, clay, scrub, and weather sculpted rocks in New Mexico when I woke up in the morning.

Met up w a NYC friend (who was heading to Texas from California) in Flagstaff, AZ. Rented a car and visited the Navajo and Hopi Nations. We slept in sleeping bags in Monument Valley. Went to sleep when the moon was up. Woke up around 4 AM. The moon had set and the Milky Way spanned over 2/3rds of the sky!

Back to Flagstaff the next morning. We parted company, and I headed to San Fransisco. San Fransisco was wonderful! Of course I rode the trolley 3 different ways. Then I visited my NJ cousin who'd moved to L.A. She took me to a few places. Yes, I touched The Pacific Ocean.

I left her, and went back to Flagstaff. From there I went to the Grand Canyon. Immense, and amazing; the formations, and colors!

Finally I headed to stay over night with my dad's friends, a couple. The wife drove me to Old Town where a lot of Native Americans sold jewelry, pottery.

Then it was back home again. An extroidinary adventure!

[debm55]

113. What a wonderful trip. Thank you for sharing your adventures to California., I love all your stops, electric_blue68.

[electric_blue68]

116. Ty. It was a fantastic blessing!

[Borogove]

117. A countertop carbonator. It dramatically reduced our plastic waste.

[debm55]

118. Thank you very much, Borogove. Enjoy