So, I'm sometimes late to the game of the newest and coolest. Most of the time it's money related, but it also takes me awhile to figure out if some new pricey gadget is really an enhancement to my life, or just a gimmick I don't really need. I've found three things in the last month that make we squeal with joy and gratitude that I'm not living as a pioneer.
iPhone
First, I got an iPhone for Christmas. Not the new one, the deeply discounted 4G. That discount and the fact that the data plan is covered by my job finally made it affordable. I love it more than I ever thought I would. I was worried I would spend more time goofing around on the internet. I actually spend less. I can click on an app for an update without ever sitting down to that great vortex that involves the couch, my ass and a lap top. Love it. I'm also no longer irritated at waiting. The kid's basketball practice runs late? Angry Birds for 5 or 10 minutes makes the time go faster. I'm also having fun with the camera and Instagram.
Kindle
B got a Kindle for Christmas. My original motive was to decrease the books in our house. We have a lot of books piled everywhere. I like books, but am tired of the clutter. We're also renters now, so we have to move those books. I hate moving books. B's the biggest book buyer, so getting him a Kindle seemed to be a brilliant (though passive-aggressive) move. Well, guess what? I love the Kindle. Our library has a large e-lending library. That was my resistance to e-readers in the past, the kids and I always borrowed books. Now we can do it electronically. NO LIBRARY FINES! Can you believe it? My guess that the library will have to lay off staff because of the impact of my children not paying fines. I honestly love the convenience of downloading my bookclub book without leaving the house. I know I will read more. I just ordered a 2nd Kindle with the $100 bill from previous year's birthdays. I kept thinking we would go to dinner and a movie or something. This will be the family treat instead.
Mr. Coffee Cafe Latte
I admit it, I'm kind of a latte addict. I limit myself to 3 or 4 a week, because of the price. If you take out the calculator, you know annually that comes under Holy Shit in your budget. Still, it was more than a treat, I really feel better with a little caffeine. I don't drink pop much anymore. I don't really like regular coffee. Plus, a skinny latte gives me a significant portion of my calcium. I really wanted a way to still get the latte, but not put out as much money. I tried an espresso machine years ago, and bleah. Too complicated and time consuming.
My mom and dad both gave Mal and I money for our birthdays, so as the other espresso drinker she suggested a fancy coffee whiz bang thing. Something like a Keruig, but for lattes. We looked and didn't find much. I wanted to be able to use skim milk and sugar free syrup, I didn't want to buy pods. Posted on Facebook asking for suggestions, and Moxie told me about the Mr. Coffee. I read the reviews and it seemed like a good fit.
Went to Bed, Bath & Beyond armed with a 20% off coupon and brought that baby home. I really, really like it. It takes a bit more time than I would like (12 minutes total if you count cleaning the machine after). But it's really easy and really good. That 12 minutes is less time than it takes for me to drive to get drink on the way to work. The cost savings is huge. I figure a latte will cost less than $1.
I have to look into that Mr. Coffee. LP is drinking coffee now, too, and I am avoiding buying it in coffee shops.
Posted by: Songbird | January 17, 2012 at 05:36 PM
Songbird, it's like a dream. I love it.
Posted by: Lisa V | January 17, 2012 at 06:14 PM