Micro-BTD (less than $100)

[AudiDudi]

So far, I've decided my habit of Diet Pepsi is likely less harmful (and less expensive) than tobacco or alcohol - neither of which do I use. I resent the price increases, but have decided (for now) that my "bad habits" are not that bad or expensive.

I agree that DP is sweeter than DC and maybe that's why I like DP - though I do love Coca Cola - but never drink it because of the sugar.

In a pinch, I can make do with Diet Coke. At the fountain, I'll mix DC with Coke Zero sometimes - if there is no DP available. I hate addiction in myself but figure DP is a lot less destructive than some other vices I've either given up or never tried. YMMV

Sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup? I switched from DC to regular with the HFCS because I think it is less "damaging" that the artifical sweetners. Just my 02. worth

 

[jollystomper]

A recent weekend trip to visit family in the Atlanta area involved a family golf tournament, so I chose to bring my clubs. Normally I park at the airport daily garage ($16/day) or long term parking ($11/day). But I decided I'd rather walk my golf clubs and bags between our car and the airport instead of wrestling them on and off of often-crowded shuttle buses. So I parked at the terminal hourly garage at up to $30/day. The net difference between the cheapest parking option and what I paid was <$100, so that makes it a micro-BTD event .

 

[Koolau]

Sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup? I switched from DC to regular with the HFCS because I think it is less "damaging" that the artifical sweetners. Just my 02. worth

I've heard that a lot - artificial sweeteners being "bad." I haven't seen data though I've seen videos and article that say it. Just no data that I can find.

Diabetes is a killer and sugar is likely the most direct cause of our diabetes epidemic. So, "bad" as they are, I'm going with sweeteners, but I'm open to data if there is any.

Thanks for your viewpoint. You are not alone.

 

[AudiDudi]

I've heard that a lot - artificial sweeteners being "bad." I haven't seen data though I've seen videos and article that say it. Just no data that I can find.

Diabetes is a killer and sugar is likely the most direct cause of our diabetes epidemic. So, "bad" as they are, I'm going with sweeteners, but I'm open to data if there is any.

Thanks for your viewpoint. You are not alone.

I allow myself 1 Coke/day and I do my best to avoid sugar. Maybe a very ocasional bowl of ice cream or maybe 1 cookie.

 

[Koolau]

I allow myself 1 Coke/day and I do my best to avoid sugar. Maybe a very ocasional bowl of ice cream or maybe 1 cookie.

Sounds like you're on top of it. Since I've gone low-carb to lose weight (successfully) I've been trying to avoid sugar completely, but it seems to be in almost everything. I like to snack on beef jerky, but notice it has significant amounts of sugar in it.

 

[MarieIG]

On the Diet Coke vs Diet Pepsi, to me there is definite difference in taste between them. I am a Diet Coke-aholic and prefer that over DP. . .

When I imbibed - Diet Coke was typically my beverage of choice, with the occasional diet ginger ale.

So far, I've decided my habit of Diet Pepsi is likely less harmful (and less expensive) than tobacco or alcohol - neither of which do I use. I resent the price increases, but have decided (for now) that my "bad habits" are not that bad or expensive.

I agree that DP is sweeter than DC and maybe that's why I like DP - though I do love Coca Cola - but never drink it because of the sugar.

In a pinch, I can make do with Diet Coke. At the fountain, I'll mix DC with Coke Zero sometimes - if there is no DP available. I hate addiction in myself but figure DP is a lot less destructive than some other vices I've either given up or never tried. YMMV

I haven't had diet soda in a while- but- while I was waiting to see one of my doctors yesterday, I noticed a vending machine stocked full of regular and diet soda. I have to admit I felt the pull and gazed at the bottles of Diet Coke a bit longingly. . .

My micro BTD was for ten Beauty of Josean Relief Sun - sunscreen -the original formula (which I prefer) for $67.60.

 

[euro]

Sounds like you're on top of it. Since I've gone low-carb to lose weight (successfully) I've been trying to avoid sugar completely, but it seems to be in almost everything. I like to snack on beef jerky, but notice it has significant amounts of sugar in it.

Yes, it is all over the place! Regarding beef jerky, there ARE some brands that are sugarfree, but those are extremely expensive. It turns out that it is actually quite easy to make your own jerky if you have a food dehydrator ($10-15 on Amazon). Buy a relatively lean piece of beef (I use flank steak because it is fairly inexpensive), marinate, cut into thin strips and dehydrate for a few hours until desired consistency (moistness, stiffness). If you cut with the grain of the meat you'll get tougher/chewier/stringier jerky, if you cut against the grain, you'll get softer/easier to eat jerky.
YMMV, but it is worth a try. As with almost everything else, if you REALLY want to control what you ingest, sadly, you have to make it from scratch.

 

[athena53]

I have a "nightcap" of 2 oz. of scotch before I go to bed. My go-to is a Kirkland blend from Costco with occasional purchases of better stuff at Duty-Free when I travel or from The Tasting Room when I'm in London, where they sell whisky you can't get in the US. More and more I'm finding that I like to have a bottle of higher-grade whisky when I feel like treating myself- maybe $70 or so a bottle. I haven't bought the really exorbitant varieties (say, >$150) because I'd never drink it, waiting for some ultra-special occasion.

 

[ksr]

I had an old but serviceable garden hose. It would leak a bit here and there and I could see some small cracks in it. I went online and read reviews for various hoses at Lowe’s and found one that got almost all good reviews. So, a micro BTD for me was a $45 50’ hose. So far, it is looking like a good decision - no leaks, and is so much more flexible that I can much more easily move it around the yard.

 

[ls99]

Yesterday a really good lunch in Pittsburgh at a small family owned Thai restaurant (small=5 little tables) $11.- and left a nice tip. They are only open from 11 AM to 2 PM.

 

[CO-guy]

A few months back I made a bunch of flatbreads, but found our flimsy nonstick frying pan frustrating. We have quality stainless steel, copper, cast iron, and ceramic pots, and we rarely use a nonstick.

So my micro-BTD was a new 12" All-Clad nonstick frying pan. The sale price brought it under $100 with tax and shipping included.

 

[Koolau]

I bought two (as in only 2) shirts and paid (wait for it) $98! I've never paid that much money for shirts before. Here in the Islands, our most famous producer of Aloha wear is Hilo Hattie. The only time I've ever owned one of the HH shirts is when I found one at a resale shop for $4. BUT I need a really dressy Aloha shirt for our 60th HS reunion, so I paid the money to cover the two day event.

 

[aja8888]

I bought two (as in only 2) shirts and paid (wait for it) $98! I've never paid that much money for shirts before. Here in the Islands, our most famous producer of Aloha wear is Hilo Hattie. The only time I've ever owned one of the HH shirts is when I found one at a resale shop for $4. BUT I need a really dressy Aloha shirt for our 60th HS reunion, so I paid the money to cover the two day event.

Maybe you can return the shirts after the reunion?

 

[pb4uski]

Maybe you can return the shirts after the reunion?

 

[COcheesehead]

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[jollystomper]

Youngest DS is learning to play golf, so my new weekly Micro-BTD is paying for driving range balls and/or his golf round when we play together, and eventually a few lessons. It is priceless and worth it having this time with him. Plus he appreciates it, he always volunteers to buy any drinks/snacks if I want any .

 

[pb4uski]

^^^ Good for you. I have a lot of fond memories of playing golf with my Dad after he retired.

I would have said that my Dad would have been the last person in the world to take up golf but he got the bug soon after retiring, I think in part since he lived in a golf community in Florida. He had a very downward chop swing but when he got it right it pinched the ball and it took off low and ran like heck. I used to kid him "Well, that's a swing that you'll never see on the Golf Channel".

I also recall taking a day off of work to go play with him and another retired friend of his. On the trip to the course somehow the day of the week came up and the two retired guys were 2 days off! Not only that, they argued with me about it.

On another golf trip shortly after he retired I asked him how retirement was going. He went on and on and closed with "I'm so damn busy I don't know how I ever found time to work". While I didn't say it I was close to blurting out something like "That's the fricking lamest thing that I have ever heard". Funny thing... I totally get it now.

 

[CincyDave]

I just spent $128 dollars on 15 16oz bottles of pickled mushrooms to have them shipped from Wisconsin to Louisiana. You just can't find these down here and this taste awesome in my Old Fashions I like and the brand is Forest floor foods

I have to admit, I've never heard of mushrooms in an old fashion. I can't knock it since I've not tried it, but just seems wrong.

 

[AudiDudi]

17 yr old HP Printer finally croaked. Didn't need anything high end so spent $70 at Walmart for a cheapo Epson. Hopefully, it will outlast me.

 

[Ronstar]

It’s about time to take the top off my jeep for the summer. 8 bolts easily removed by ratchet.

But I bought a $100 battery powered ratchet to speed up the process.

 

[mebden]

I have to admit, I've never heard of mushrooms in an old fashion. I can't knock it since I've not tried it, but just seems wrong.

You don't know what your missing Dave they are better than olives my problem I don't put just 1 or 2 in my old fashion at a time I put about 10 of them and lucky if 1 bottle last me for 6 old fashions hey but when you retired what the heck LOL

 

[Koolau]

Maybe you can return the shirts after the reunion?

I would never do that to one of the few home-grown manufacturers in my beloved adopted state.

 

[pb4uski]

I would not do it because it is wrong and despicable.

 

[CincyDave]

You don't know what your missing Dave they are better than olives my problem I don't put just 1 or 2 in my old fashion at a time I put about 10 of them and lucky if 1 bottle last me for 6 old fashions hey but when you retired what the heck LOL

I've only had an orange slice and cherry in any Old Fashion I've ordered or made. Good cherries can get quite pricey as well.

 

[COcheesehead]

I've only had an orange slice and cherry in any Old Fashion I've ordered or made. Good cherries can get quite pricey as well.

Luxardo’s are the good ones.