Blow That Dough 2026

[TripleLindy]

I do not do well in the Florida heat and humidity.

I’ve never understood the attraction of a Disney World vacation, especially in the summer.

 

[Just_Steve]

And it’s Trouble Free!

Absolutely!

 

[nvestysly]

Lots of good BTD on this thread. It's interesting... I was aware of past versions of this thread and looked at them from time to time... but now that DW and I are literally in the midst of the process... OH MY! It's both fun and scary!

Some of you may recall a post I made to this thread earlier in the year. Until that time, I had never really considered a BTD event/activity. We're all-in at this point.

One friend recommended that we not keep the receipts. I do keep the receipts, and I am keeping track of the expenses, but I'm not really paying attention to the $ amounts. This van is a dream project for us, it's not for everybody, we're doing it regardless of how much it costs!

I recently noticed a series of shirts available via various social media outlets indicating "Financial Mistake in Progress." I guess I should get them to make a shirt custom for our situation.

If anyone is interested, here's the story of how the van project came to be. It's on a "sister" forum:

Rare 1977 Airstream A/Van: From Workhorse to Custom Camper Build

Until a few years ago, I was not aware that Airstream made step vans back in the 70's. Attached are a few pictures of an A/Van built on a Chevrolet chassis. Some of you may have seen this van for sale when the WBCCI annual rally was held in Fryeburg, ME back in 2022. We subsequently purchased...

www.airforums.com

 

[disneysteve]

In the past 2 weeks both my wife and I have had some medical testing done. Since we haven't met our deductible yet, which is a good thing, we had to pay OOP for everything. So our exciting BTD is $2,200 worth of healthcare. Woo hoo!

The good news is that my tests came out fine. We don't have the results of hers yet as they were just done.

 

[GravitySucks]

Took the family on an Alaskan cruise last week. Ran a couple thousand over the planned cost but worth every penny.

Rented a step thru bike on vacation. Some days the hip arthritis makes it difficult to throw a leg over the saddle of my fitness bike. Found a Marin step thru at my local shop and had a nice rack installed. $825 for a bike I don’t really need. Picked it up today.

 

[street]

Lots of good BTD on this thread. It's interesting... I was aware of past versions of this thread and looked at them from time to time... but now that DW and I are literally in the midst of the process... OH MY! It's both fun and scary!

Some of you may recall a post I made to this thread earlier in the year. Until that time, I had never really considered a BTD event/activity. We're all-in at this point.

One friend recommended that we not keep the receipts. I do keep the receipts, and I am keeping track of the expenses, but I'm not really paying attention to the $ amounts. This van is a dream project for us, it's not for everybody, we're doing it regardless of how much it costs!

I recently noticed a series of shirts available via various social media outlets indicating "Financial Mistake in Progress." I guess I should get them to make a shirt custom for our situation.

If anyone is interested, here's the story of how the van project came to be. It's on a "sister" forum:

Rare 1977 Airstream A/Van: From Workhorse to Custom Camper Build

Until a few years ago, I was not aware that Airstream made step vans back in the 70's. Attached are a few pictures of an A/Van built on a Chevrolet chassis. Some of you may have seen this van for sale when the WBCCI annual rally was held in Fryeburg, ME back in 2022. We subsequently purchased...

www.airforums.com

A very interesting project. I love to tackle new things and learn how to in the process of something new to learn.

 

[Winemaker]

I’ve never understood the attraction of a Disney World vacation, especially in the summer.

Well, DS's plant is shut down for 2 weeks maintenace, DD is a teacher, DW is retired, both grandsons are in a baseball break, grand daughter's gymnastics and cheer teams are in a break. It's the first time the planets lined up for us!

 

[old medic]

New washer and dryer.... both still worked but the washer started acting stupid and had to make sure it added enough water. About 12 years old so DW came home to a small surprise.... But since I do the majority of the laundry.....

 

[pjigar]

We threw a graduation party for our children at a turn of 8K.

 

[Cassius King]

New washer and dryer.... both still worked but the washer started acting stupid and had to make sure it added enough water. About 12 years old so DW came home to a small surprise.... But since I do the majority of the laundry.....

Same here. New washer and dryer being delivered tomorrow. Using this opportunity to redo the laundry room and add some cabinetry, shelving and organization.
Also wrote the last "large" check for my daughters wedding. Still some more money will be spent, wedding dress alteration, final dinner payment and possible upgrade of alcohol bar service.
And DW decided she wants a beach vacation before the wedding so heading to Florida in 30 days, lol.

BTD ebbs and flows for us, but when it flows, the dam is open!

 

[Dtail]

I’ve never understood the attraction of a Disney World vacation, especially in the summer.

I don't understand it for adults only in the winter either.

 

[tulak]

Garmin Edge 1050 with a Varia RearVue.

I’ve been using my Apple Watch, and smartphone before that, for tracking bike rides. Looking forward to having a dedicated bike computer, especially with the radar to see approaching cars from behind.

 

[boog]

Garmin Edge 1050 with a Varia RearVue.

I’ve been using my Apple Watch, and smartphone before that, for tracking bike rides. Looking forward to having a dedicated bike computer, especially with the radar to see approaching cars from behind.

Just got the Varia 515 radar myself and it makes a bigger impact than I expected when solo riding. I’m using it with a Garmin 830 and a Karoo 3. Works great with both. Much less of a need to look over your shoulder for approaching traffic. Wish I had bought it sooner. I think you will be quite satisfied.

 

[livingalmostlarge]

Bought a house. Close next week. I can't wait

 

[Koolau]

Bought a house. Close next week. I can't wait

Now THAT's a BTD.

Congratulations.

Pictures??

 

[livingalmostlarge]

Now THAT's a BTD.

Congratulations.

Pictures??

i'll try tomorrow to get it from the listing

 

[street]

i'll try tomorrow to get it from the listing

Great! Would love to see your purchase.

 

[Physics Guy]

Finally dropped some cash on an ebike. Last summer I tried going with a used hybrid Trek. It got me out and reconfirmed my enjoyment of cycling but proved that the hills around here are a little more than I want to deal with.

A crash messed up the front derailleur (which wasn't shifting well even before that). So $2.5k later I have a mid step ebike that should more than fit the bill for getting me out of the options around here (both the Schuylkill River Trail and running errands).

 

[statsman]

With the latest issue with Secure Boot certificates on older Windows PCs (mine's one of them), I am going to build one for Windows 11. I costed out a build back in September 2025 before the EOL date for Windows 10, and it came in at around $1,400. I ran out of time, so I upgraded my 6 year-old PC to Windows 11.

That same PC build with virtually the same components now costs $2,600. This doesn't come close to breaking our budget, but I hate that the costs have increased this much. PC costs in the past have either dropped for the same components, or they have remained the same for higher level components. The focus on building AI data centers has spiked PC build costs.

 

[More Cowbell]

Garmin Edge 1050 with a Varia RearVue.

I’ve been using my Apple Watch, and smartphone before that, for tracking bike rides. Looking forward to having a dedicated bike computer, especially with the radar to see approaching cars from behind.

ARadar is an Apple Watch app that integrates with most Garmin Varia radars and adds haptic feedback to your wrist as objects approach. Also option to record bike ride workout info to Apple Health. It doesn’t require your iPhone or a Garmin cycle computer, just the watch and radar. No subscription needed.

I added this app to my bicycle awareness arsenal (Garmin RTL515, Garmin Edge Explore 2, B+M Cycle Star 80 bar-end mirror).

Here’s the developer’s website:

Connect Garmin Varia™ or Bryton Radars to Apple Watch | No iPhone Required | ARadar

Connect your Garmin Varia™ or Bryton Radars to your Apple Watch directly without using iPhone or any other Garmin device. No subscription required! Enjoy live view on iPhone and access full stats a...

aradar-app.com

 

[livingalmostlarge]

let's see if i works

i bought a view

 

[street]

let's see if i worksView attachment 64850

i bought a view

Wow!! So, I'm a little slow but did you buy property and that is your view That is a view I wouldn't get tired of looking at.

 

[livingalmostlarge]

yes we close on wednesday. I can't wait

 

[Luvtoride]

Bought this massage chair after trying it at a friends house. I didn’t NEED it, but wanted to have the choice to have a relaxing massage anytime. I use it just about every day and purchased it through a furniture dealer that my friend sells to, for 1/2 the regular retail price. So a bargain too (don’t ask my wife…LOL). Maybe I will stop using it someday, but 2 months since getting it, almost everyone’s in the family Loves taking turns using it.

 

[disneysteve]

We are going away for our anniversary on Sunday for 3 nights to a localish favorite destination of ours. One thing we like about the hotel is it has really nice corner rooms with floor to ceiling windows on the two outer walls. You get a great view of the city. It's a splurge as it's quite a bit more expensive than a standard view room (and we can’t use points) but we really enjoy it.