I am a bit of a mug freak. Certain mugs for certain moods/occasions. I went ahead and bought a coffee warmer pad instead. I have a good travel mug that I love for coffee but at home I often prefer a mug in hand while working. The warmer pad gets great reviews at a fraction of the Ember price.
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I’ve made many purchases that had a positive impact on my life – buying a car, traveling expenditures, getting a new laptop, getting streaming services, etc. However, I think my favorite purchase was a Galaxy S24+. I enjoy the S24+ more than any other phone I have owned, and it has had a positive impact on my life, like the other purchases above. However, this isn’t what makes it my favorite purchase of the year. What separates this purchase is more the buying experience. I received the phone for better than free through a series of deals and trades, and found that to be rewarding. A summary is below:
Earlier this year, my data provider had a free Motorola Razr with any trade in deal. I bought a pathetic used IPhone 6 for $10 on EBay as my trade in. The phone was covered in scratches and physically bent, but it turned on and worked well enough for the Razr trade-in to go through. I received a Razr for $10 (+ taxes). My data provider also had a trade-in deals for Galaxys. A pre-ordered S24 was $100 with any trade in. Again I traded in a used phone on EBay purchased for ~$10.
At this point, I had 2 new phones – a Razr and a Galaxy. My data provider has a 60 day waiting period before unlocking. My plan was to try both phones for 60 days each, keep the one I liked best, and return the other. Unfortunately I found both phones to be inadequate. I liked the Razr flip design, but it had a variety of other limitations – not compatible with my Bluetooth hearing aid, poor battery life, poor reliability (had to send back for repairs after under 2 months of usage), etc. It’s a nice phone, but wasn’t for me. The S24 was better than the Razr, but the screen was too small, particularly when combined with the extremely small buttons for clearing alerts.
To increase screen size, I bought a S24+ for $200 using my previously purchased S24 as my trade in, so I was able to skip the 60 day waiting period to unlock. My trade in was valued more than $200, so I received a net of $120 after trade in. I also sold my Razr+ for over $300. The total was
- Spending – $10 + $10 + $100 = $120
- Received – $120 + $320 = $440
- Net = $440 - $120 = $320 (prior to taxes)
I was effectively paid $300 (prior to taxes) to get a new S24+, and I was able to keep my old Pixel that it replaces as a backup. I may do something similar when the S25 is released next month.
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I bought a Frio duo cold pack to keep my medication at the proper temperature. I think it will work great and allow me to avoid hassles of fridges that are noisy and or freeze items. It was $40.
I also bought some great travel pants from costco that are comfortable and look decent. They’re also warm enough (as I tend to get cold).
Also bought a minus33 mid weight base layer merino wool top that I think I’ll get good use from while traveling.
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On the Ember Mug topic, has anyone tried their travel mug? After getting used to Embers Goldilock temperature for my coffee I am never happy when on the move. Travel mugs seem to keep it too hot for too long and then not hold the temp very well well it finally begins to drop.
Toss-up between a 9 foot tall artificial Christmas tree with lights versus about 600 feet of privacy fencing for our back & side yards.
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My favorite purchase this year was a 65” LG TV. I was going to go with a 55”, similar to the Samsung that died on me after 3 years, but was talked into a 65”. I also simplified the installation by taking out cable & Tivo and signed up with YouTube TV. I no longer have wires all over the place, and I am now paying less than $100 for internet and YouTube instead of 200+.
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Versatile All-Clad everything pan. I had gotten rid of Cuisanart dutch oven when I moved since I had acquired a Le Creuset dutch oven. That pan weighs a ton and I hardly ever use it because it is difficult to clean. I would like to have the money back on the Le Cruset, though I craved it for years. The new pan has become my go-to.
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Air fryers for our home (ninja flip) and a smaller one for the DADU at D’s. Fast, easy and healthy.
Zumba classes for the uplift of spirit and added endurance to our walks.
Zizzo foldable bike for travel.
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DH wants to play. We installed a new generator at the cabin this year. He took a pic of it to use as his laptop wallpaper. 
ETA: In that vein, I guess the gallon of paint I bought to refresh the cabin’s kitchen cabinets was my favorite purchase as it effectively gave me a brand new kitchen.
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My first new pair of prescription glasses in well over a decade. They’re light, and have an ingenious hinge design.
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I bought this one (because I liked the wood-like finish of the base) and am enjoying a hot cappucino while scrolling CC this morning.
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A whole house generator? Definitely a great purchase. IYKYK
I’m jealous!
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He thinks she’s a beauty but is just as enamored of the 500-gallon propane tank that feeds her. If this is his only porn…
ETA: The purpose of these extremely expensive items is to power the cabin during the blizzard outage we’ll never be there for as we leave in October each year. In the four seasons we’ve spent at the cabin, we’ve lost power in the summer exactly twice, each time less than an hour and no need for electricity during those outages. But, hey, let’s be ready for The Apocalypse, right?
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In 2021, we bought a new roof.
In 2022, we bought a solar system.
In 2023, we bought a deck rebuild.
Taking a pause in 2024 was a good thing. 
On to new adventures in home improvement in 2025! (The induction cooktop is waiting to be installed.)
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My favorite purchase: a week-long yoga retreat (sponsored by the studio where I practice) to Roseau (on the island of Dominica). I have no idea right now how to get there, but it will be an adventure.
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I love our whole house generator probably as much as your DH!
( and of course the power never goes out since we installed)
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I’ve had that pan for years (or one very similar) and it is the most used pan I own, by far.
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The first thing that came to mind when I read this topic is the bicycling trip we took to Bryce and Zion National Parks, plus some awesome state parks around/between the two. We saw some awesome scenery, and it was challenging riding. I was impressed with myself at the end of that trip.
Now I admit I feel a little guilty that I thought of that instead of the month long trip we took to New Zealand, which was my number 1 bucket list trip.
I guess I’ll just say during 2024 I was lucky enough experience some awesome travel.
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Oh yes, in 2024, we got a new roof, new expanded Photo Voltaic and new solar! 2025, we’re getting H a new car and paying a ton for D’s dental surgery.
Helping my sister buy a new/used car.
A lovely visit to Sonoma, Ca. Stayed at An Inn to Remember, which was so nice.
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