Blow That Dough 2025

[aja8888]

My super-big splurge was some cosmetic surgery I'd been wanting for decades and seriously considering for at least the last 8 years. Though I've been pretty slender all my life, my neck was always very thick and I had no jawline to speak of - I always hated my profile - even when I weighed 110 pounds - I had a hard time looking at my engagement and wedding photos!

So I found a great surgeon in Chicago and had a deep plane neck lift / lower facelift done a couple weeks ago. It cost a pretty penny but typically takes 10 years off your face and lasts for 10 years, so considering that it wasn't so bad...ha. It's still a little early to see the full effects and if I get brave I might even post some before and afters. Folks on here seldom mention cosmetic surgery, maybe because of the preponderance of males in the community? I waited a long time and am glad I finally went for it - vanity be d****d!

A 78 year old male friend of mine had his eyelids fixed. I really couldn't tell much difference. And he had black eyes for a good while.

 

[Koolau]

A 78 year old male friend of mine had his eyelids fixed. I really couldn't tell much difference. And he had black eyes for a good while.

Eyelid surgery is, of necessity, subtle. DW had it done due to drooping eyelids (so much so that it wasn't considered to be cosmetic - IOW it was covered by insurance). The surgeon suggested lower lids as well (not covered by insurance) which she did. Again. Subtle but very effective. YMMV

 

[reneeh63]

A 78 year old male friend of mine had his eyelids fixed. I really couldn't tell much difference. And he had black eyes for a good while.

Obviously a neck lift is much more intensive surgery than a bleph...even so, my bruising was hardly noticeable after a week...I'm seeing a good amount of change with swelling decreasing more over the next weeks.

 

[COcheesehead]

My super-big splurge was some cosmetic surgery I'd been wanting for decades and seriously considering for at least the last 8 years. Though I've been pretty slender all my life, my neck was always very thick and I had no jawline to speak of - I always hated my profile - even when I weighed 110 pounds - I had a hard time looking at my engagement and wedding photos!

So I found a great surgeon in Chicago and had a deep plane neck lift / lower facelift done a couple weeks ago. It cost a pretty penny but typically takes 10 years off your face and lasts for 10 years, so considering that it wasn't so bad...ha. It's still a little early to see the full effects and if I get brave I might even post some before and afters. Folks on here seldom mention cosmetic surgery, maybe because of the preponderance of males in the community? I waited a long time and am glad I finally went for it - vanity be d****d!

I never thought I would do anything cosmetic as a male, but I was getting non cancerous dark spots, spider veins on my face and it bothered me. I ended up doing laser treatments that made a big difference for $350. Will continue.

 

[Koolau]

I never thought I would do anything cosmetic as a male, but I was getting non cancerous dark spots, spider veins on my face and it bothered me. I ended up doing laser treatments that made a big difference for $350. Will continue.

Considered hair transplants and a tummy tuck. I haven't dated for 55 years, so I'm thinking "Naaaahhhhhhh!"

 

[imjustawarrior]

Folks on here seldom mention cosmetic surgery, maybe because of the preponderance of males in the community?

I have posted that I have been having Intense Pulsed Light therapy on my face to get rid of bulging blood vessels on my face in particular nose.

There is definitely a place for cosmetic surgery.

 

[GravitySucks]

Bought a set of hearing aids. Probably should have got them 15 years ago.

Finally hanging out with people that have something interesting to say.

 

[Koolau]

Bought a set of hearing aids. Probably should have got them 15 years ago.

Finally hanging out with people that have something interesting to say.

I've been putting it off. Do they really, REALLY help? I don't want to get hearing aids and simply find that they just make everything "loud" instead of "clear"! I can hear. I just can't understand what I'm hearing these days. It's frustrating. Thanks in advance for any insight you might offer.

 

[jgrdarrash]

I've been putting it off. Do they really, REALLY help? I don't want to get hearing aids and simply find that they just make everything "loud" instead of "clear"! I can hear. I just can't understand what I'm hearing these days. It's frustrating. Thanks in advance for any insight you might offer.

Just helped great aunt upgrade her cheap 5 year old Costco ones for real AI enhanced ones. Immediate difference. She could even hear me in a loud restaurant. Check Consumer Reports for current brand recommendations. Expect to pay $7k for the really good ones but you'll be able to interact with everyone again.

 

[Koolau]

Just helped great aunt upgrade her cheap 5 year old Costco ones for real AI enhanced ones. Immediate difference. She could even hear me in a loud restaurant. Check Consumer Reports for current brand recommendations. Expect to pay $7k for the really good ones but you'll be able to interact with everyone again.

Thanks. That is encouraging. Now, DW and I have to decide which of us is going first! (We both need help with our hearing).

 

[timbervest]

I have some mild hearing loss which is most noticeable in crowds and where there is alot of ambient noise -- also use bluetooth TV ears so DW can have the volume at a normal level. I got the hearing test and $5K hearing aids last year which had the app on your phone that supposedly allows you to adjust volume/settings for different situations. I found they only made everything louder and really couldn't filter out the noise from the speech. Returned them after 60 days for refund. Perhaps I will try the Costco ones.

 

[GravitySucks]

I've been putting it off. Do they really, REALLY help? I don't want to get hearing aids and simply find that they just make everything "loud" instead of "clear"! I can hear. I just can't understand what I'm hearing these days. It's frustrating. Thanks in advance for any insight you might offer.

So far I’m happy with them. Heard many singing birds today. Had a conversation with a 5 year old and I didn’t have to ask him to repeat himself like I usually do. That makes it worthwhile right there!

Trivia tomorrow night so I’ll see if they really work in a noisy environment.

I bought a cheap over the counter set a few years ago and they just amplified everything. Completely useless for me.

 

[Momcpa]

gravitysucks; would you care t o share the brand name of your recent hearing aid purchase??

 

[GravitySucks]

They’re UHC private label brand Relate.

Wore them at trivia last night. I could hear everything for once. I have a hard time understanding conversations in a noisy environment and these really helped.

 

[imjustawarrior]

Last night my DW was having trouble with the trackpad on her laptop. Bought her a new 17" LG Gram laptop this morning. It is really nice. I'm setting it up for her right now.

 

[Dtail]

My super-big splurge was some cosmetic surgery I'd been wanting for decades and seriously considering for at least the last 8 years. Though I've been pretty slender all my life, my neck was always very thick and I had no jawline to speak of - I always hated my profile - even when I weighed 110 pounds - I had a hard time looking at my engagement and wedding photos!

So I found a great surgeon in Chicago and had a deep plane neck lift / lower facelift done a couple weeks ago. It cost a pretty penny but typically takes 10 years off your face and lasts for 10 years, so considering that it wasn't so bad...ha. It's still a little early to see the full effects and if I get brave I might even post some before and afters. Folks on here seldom mention cosmetic surgery, maybe because of the preponderance of males in the community? I waited a long time and am glad I finally went for it - vanity be d****d!

Good for you. Absolutely agree with the concept, although nothing for me yet.

 

[Koolau]

My super-big splurge was some cosmetic surgery I'd been wanting for decades and seriously considering for at least the last 8 years. Though I've been pretty slender all my life, my neck was always very thick and I had no jawline to speak of - I always hated my profile - even when I weighed 110 pounds - I had a hard time looking at my engagement and wedding photos!

So I found a great surgeon in Chicago and had a deep plane neck lift / lower facelift done a couple weeks ago. It cost a pretty penny but typically takes 10 years off your face and lasts for 10 years, so considering that it wasn't so bad...ha. It's still a little early to see the full effects and if I get brave I might even post some before and afters. Folks on here seldom mention cosmetic surgery, maybe because of the preponderance of males in the community? I waited a long time and am glad I finally went for it - vanity be d****d!

Great BTD! Would love to see the before and after if you choose to share. DW had a fair amount of "w*rk" done after she lost weight. She was thrilled with the results as was I.

 

[street]

Just ordered online a Zero Turn Mower. Of course I found the best deal I could find. Do I need it No, not really but will let my son use it at a shop yard he has in an industrial park. He has an older JD tractor mower I will take to the ranch and use.

It is one of those things I really didn't need to do but why not!! Lol
I dislike like sending money on things that I can get by without. It makes me feel better that in one month I make the cost of the Zero Turn on interest from one small account I never have touched.

 

[Teacher Terry]

So after seeing on a thread that Koolau had bought something called tilt windows that you can wash from the inside I copied his good taste and did the same. They are pricey at 1 K each, but I only have one window in each bedroom. They demonstrated how they worked in the showroom and they are great. I actually got three bids. They’re going to come out to measure and then I should have them in 4–6 weeks.

I live on the third floor of the condo building and the HOA does not wash the outside of the windows. They are the original windows to the building which are 48 years old so you can imagine what they look like. Plus, they are really difficult to open and shut at this point because I’m sure the building has shifted.

 

[Dtail]

Spent 6k on a new sofa. The old one was 10 years old and fairly worn out in one section.
Receiving it on July 2nd. Super comfortable.

 

[Texas Proud]

Oh yea... BTD thread.... almost forgot...

Spent $1700 on a La-z-Boy power recliner... it is a swivel rocker recliner... old one is SOOO broken but I still sit in it... but no reclining... it did last 35 to 40 years...

 

[Koolau]

So after seeing on a thread that Koolau had bought something called tilt windows that you can wash from the inside I copied his good taste and did the same. They are pricey at 1 K each, but I only have one window in each bedroom. They demonstrated how they worked in the showroom and they are great. I actually got three bids. They’re going to come out to measure and then I should have them in 4–6 weeks.

I live on the third floor of the condo building and the HOA does not wash the outside of the windows. They are the original windows to the building which are 48 years old so you can imagine what they look like. Plus, they are really difficult to open and shut at this point because I’m sure the building has shifted.

You are gonna love 'em! So glad you have made your choice. Keep us posted how they w*rk out for you.

 

[freedomatlast]

A big BTD for us! DH was previously driving a 2007 Lexus and just bought a 2025 Mercedes E450. Very nice car. It will take us a while how to use the technology built into it. Probably DH’s last car based on how long we keep them.

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Great choice! Nothing like the feel of a brand new German luxury car with the turbocharged inline 6 cylinder.

 

[Scuba]

Wow... how much does the boat club cost? Do you have access to all locations with what you pay?

We had to pay an initiation fee and an ongoing monthly fee. There are several different plans that are quite flexible - any 6 months of a 12-month period, seasonal only, weekday only, or full access. We decided to spring for “full access” at least for the first year. We can rent from any Freedom location globally. There are some restrictions on the number of reciprocal club rentals, but our home market includes 24 locations with zero restrictions. Cost is less than $500/month and they provide free training. Beyond the membership dues, you just pay for fuel and tips.

So far, we love it. Not the same as owning your own boat, but cheaper and more flexible as we go out of a lot of different locations.

 

[Scuba]

Ok so one more BTD for this year. My car was a 2018 Mimi Cooper S convertible. Fun to drive, zippy, and super cute but very impractical. Now that DH has his fancy new Mercedes, I didn’t want to use that car to go to the beach or on boating excursions due to the sand and salt water involved, but the Mini was too small. After thinking about it, I decided I wanted a small SUV/crossover and ended up buying a new Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. Great vehicle, amazing technology and safety features. And it’s not so nice that I’ll have any qualms about taking it on our adventures. Plus we can add a hitch to it for a bike rack. Very happy with it even though I didn’t necessarily “need” a new car.