What is on your "Recession Things To buy List"

If I can sell my townhome and move to a little house with a yard, I'm going to adopt another puppy.
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We already bought a week long cruise to the Bahama's (the first family vacation for us!). Stupid cheap prices.

I've been deferring the purchase of a new computer or computer component upgrades - may pick up something cheap in the next few months. Possibly home improvement stuff too. We have a good bit of deferred maintenance (windows, exterior siding, complete kitchen remodel, new bathtub, etc).

Consumer goods and services are getting cheaper. But so are stocks and some bonds. Not sure which one is the more attractive bargain these days. So not going crazy buying one or the other.
 
I am considering splurging on a factory reconditioned Vita-Mix!! (These blenders are not cheap, and I have yet to meet someone who does not love theirs)
 
Nords, thanks for the tip the other week about getting a TIVO off Craigslist. This is something I want to get as we currently rent 2 DVR's from TimeWarner at a cost of $20 a month, so if we can get some TIVO's they will soon pay for themselves.
We used the Weaknees.com buying guide to figure out what models we wanted, and then we just waited for eBay & Craigslist ads. The Series 2 TiVos are dirt-cheap because everyone's upgrading to Series 3/HD. We got ours for $80, not much more than the price of the included wireless adaptor, but then of course we had to pay the subscription fee. That $399 will pay itself back in about 30 months.

Happy spouse: priceless.
 
I already purchased a $5000 Kawasaki KLX250S with 600 miles on it for $3200 from a owner who was leveraging. This also included a two year factory warranty extension that cost $800, for a purchase price of $5800. Just think, this guy paid $4/mile to drive this motorcycle.

I am looking for a Kawasaki KLR650 to get next, when I can find one with 2000 or less miles for $3600 or less. I suspect I will not have wait long.
 
AR-15 with 1000 rds of .223.
Got the AR-15 on order, need to get the ammo now.
Long waiting list on AR-15s due to the huge surge in firearms buying. Prolly can't find ammo either.
 
We used the Weaknees.com buying guide to figure out what models we wanted, and then we just waited for eBay & Craigslist ads. The Series 2 TiVos are dirt-cheap because everyone's upgrading to Series 3/HD. We got ours for $80, not much more than the price of the included wireless adaptor, but then of course we had to pay the subscription fee. That $399 will pay itself back in about 30 months.

Happy spouse: priceless.
We may be in the market for a Tivo box if we decide to pull the plug on our satellite bills and go strictly to free over-the-air TV. It costs us $1000 a year or so, and we figure if we have a DVR solution (together with Netflix) we'd have enough to watch for much less. It's not like we park ourselves in front of the TV for hours each night anyway.

[By the way: we were considering this before the stuff started really hitting the fan, so it's not really a defensive reaction to the current economic climate.]
 
There is a 2008 Suzuki C90T motorcycle on the floor at the local dealer, priced at $10k. Sticker is $11.5k. I've been looking for a used cruiser on Ebay, craigslist and the local papers for months, but any that are local and anywhere near fairly priced are sold within hours. So I've been planning on buying in late December, but now I'm not sure I want to wait. Somebody else might buy it first and then I'd have to wait until March-April for the 2009 models, and almost certainly pay more for one. OTOH, if I buy it now it'll spend most of the time in the shed until spring since I'm not one of those people who likes frostbite. Decisions, decisions.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/products/C90TK8
 
I'm thinking about a Krups Dolce Gusto coffee gizmo that makes single serving espresso. It has a ton of pressure and is $169, so if I see it come down I'll get it for DH. Of course it's the gift that keeps on giving since you have to buy the coffee capsules, but still a lot cheaper to make at home vs. coffee shops.
 
We've spent more this month than almost any time in the past (not counting property purchases). I replaced a front cap on a tooth and the gal had her remaining 20 removed, a dozen titanium implants installed in her jaws, and a set of choppers bought - may replace those down the road if we go with permanent implants. 5% discount for cash. Also passed some bucks out to people working on her '56 Chevy wagon and made the property tax payments on our places. Oh - and got her an iphone to play with, which was well worth the money!

You're welcome Mr. Economy!
 
AR-15 with 1000 rds of .223.
Got the AR-15 on order, need to get the ammo now.
Long waiting list on AR-15s due to the huge surge in firearms buying. Prolly can't find ammo either.

Try: cheaperthandirt.com
Good buys on hardball .223 in bulk.
 
I did the same thing. I like it for walking and I can catch up on my missed NPR shows.

This sort of use seems to be very popular.

I wouldn't be outside with something in my ears. I have a strong desire (need?)to know what is going on around me.

Ha
 
Ditto on the Wii report. Trying to decide if we should get this for the niece and nephews together for Christmas. But torn, as I'd like to get the niece some drama/modeling lessons instead.
Check out Eritech for the iPods, we got a great deal on DHs from them--better than the Apple store and no troubles.
 
I'm getting estimates on having 50 or 30 amp electrical service run to a plug next to where I park our RV at the house. I want to be able to use the motor home as a place for the grandkids to 'camp out', as a spare bedroom if needed, and maybe as a place to hide when DW is fed up with my wit and wisdom. :)
 
Rewahoo why bother with running electric when you can put solar panels on the roof, just a thought.
Solar panels are great for some applications, but in this part of the world an AC is needed 6-8 months of the year. Panels/batteries/inverters just don't cut it for that application - at least not for a RV. Wish they did.
 
I'm getting estimates on having 50 or 30 amp electrical service run to a plug next to where I park our RV at the house.
Rich would probably find it much more convenient if you also added a pump-out system so that he wouldn't have to boondock. And, heck, while you're at it a water bib might make him happy too.

Come to think of it, considering the things he'd be tempted to do with his sewage, you'd be at least as happy...

Solar panels are great for some applications, but in this part of the world an AC is needed 6-8 months of the year. Panels/batteries/inverters just don't cut it for that application - at least not for a RV. Wish they did.
If it wasn't for the hailstorms, I'd be jealous of your ability to spread a few kilowatts of panels alonside the RV and just run the wires through conduit to an inverter mounted next to the RV.
 
Since this is probably not going to be just another run-of-the-mill recession, but rather a protracted and severe once-a-century meltdown, instead of adding more toys, I suggest the following partial list:
  • Male/female pit bulls
  • Guns and lots of ammo
  • Crossbow and lots of arrows; hunting knives
  • Fishing gear
  • Two-way radios
  • Solar panels for house w/battery array
  • Seeds & supplies for a serious garden
  • Market shorting ETFs
  • Gold coins
  • Hidden safe
  • Books
  • First aid supplies
I'm half kidding of course! (...which means I'm half serious...)

Ooo! OOoo! Adding to the list: The Undead: Real 19th Century Vampire Killing Kit Is a Must In Current Economic Climate

And: Emergency Zombie Kit Worked Well For Me - Geekologie
 
Rich would probably find it much more convenient if you also added a pump-out system so that he wouldn't have to boondock. And, heck, while you're at it a water bib might make him happy too.

Come to think of it, considering the things he'd be tempted to do with his sewage, you'd be at least as happy...

The water bib is already in place. As for sewage disposal, all those wild hogs need something to eat, right? :cool:

If it wasn't for the hailstorms, I'd be jealous of your ability to spread a few kilowatts of panels alonside the RV and just run the wires through conduit to an inverter mounted next to the RV.
Yep. I can only imagine what the hailstorm that ate our roof right after we built the house would do to those panels. Yikes.
 
I'm thinking about a Krups Dolce Gusto coffee gizmo that makes single serving espresso. It has a ton of pressure and is $169, so if I see it come down I'll get it for DH. Of course it's the gift that keeps on giving since you have to buy the coffee capsules, but still a lot cheaper to make at home vs. coffee shops.

We got our own coffee machine about 6 months ago and absolutely love it. Cost about $250, ours is a nespresso machine - costs about 52 cents for each coffee pod. Have to say since we got it we have cut way back on going out for coffee so it has well and truly paid for itself.
 
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