The Best Things I Spent Money on in 2021
Each year we spend money on things. For the last few years I’ve let you in on the best things I’ve exchanged money for and what I got out of it (more room, improved health, better coffee) This year, most of the list takes place in the bathroom…..
Tankless Water heater
The reason why we invested in a tankless water heater is 2 fold: 1, we needed the space the hot water tank took up for the basement renovation, and B, we realized we have teenagers now that take long showers. It only took me not being able to shower once to solidify the decision. We did our research on which product would be best for us, got multiple quotes from companies large and small, and scheduled the installation for February. It took a few days to complete but ever since then we have never run out of hot water. There has been little change to either our water or gas bill but I don’t have a water tank rental fee anymore, nor a 50 L tank of water that could leak all over the basement and cause so many headaches.
Vitamix Blender
We like shakes. Not the ice cream variety, but the protein, good for you everyday kind. My wife and I have been making shakes almost daily for a very long time. Since we began I think we’ve blown 5 blenders; too thick, too much ice, too much effort, not powerful enough. None could keep up. Since we’ve had kids, our philosophy on spending money has been to try to buy good quality items once and not replace them. So why did we replace 5 blenders? We had been talking about getting a Vitamix for many years but just couldn’t justify it. After we killed our 5th blender, we said enough is enough. Now the kids are making shakes, it’s big enough for some of our favourite soups and homemade hummus anyone?
Self-sanitizing towels
With a family of 6, I can assure you, laundry is a problem. What makes it even worse is when the kids shower and leave their towels on the floor. They don’t dry, they smell bad and then they need to be washed. I’m not joking when I tell you most weeks we did 3 loads of towels alone! There had to be a better way, we thought, and after asking the right questions, we found the answer; the same company that makes the dishcloths and towels we use makes bath towels. Their secret is the fabrics they use are ultra-thin, ultra-absorbent and, the best part, sanitize themselves within 24 hours of drying. This meant that we could use the same towel for multiple showers without fear of smelling like grandma’s basement. I’m happy to say we don’t do any specific towel loads anymore. Our time doing laundry has been cut down…. If we can ever keep up.
Bamboo paper products
Shocking stat: over 27,000 trees a day are cut down so we can wipe. That is a staggering number! Trees take forever to grow and we cut them down for a few seconds of use. Bamboo, on the other hand, grows extremely fast, can grow pretty much anywhere, and has the same qualities as wood pulp when it comes to paper products. As I’d like to leave this earth better than when I came into it, we have switched our TP, facial tissue, and paper towels all to bamboo. It’s a little more than the regular stuff but it’s a small price to pay to keep the trees on our planet!
How about you? Think back over the last 12 months and let me know what some of the best things you bought were.
Kenneth Coombs CFP CHS RRC
Ken has worked in the financial services industry since 2005, is a Registered Retirement Consultant, and is a Certified Financial Planner. Ken has written financial planning columns and has been a guest on financial radio and podcast programs.
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