This picture reminds me of a childhood experience. An uncle offered me a choice between two coins: a nickel or a dime. He didn’t include a quarter since it would have defeated the exercise. Of course I took the nickel. You know why. I was 5 years old. My awareness for the respective value of things was pretty much oriented towards ‘Bigger is Better!’
Now that I am 70+ years older (and a bit wiser), I’m more able to process the relative value of some things despite their size.
There is a lot of advice out there for people my age to ‘assist’ us in making good and better decisions. Old-people jokes like “Don’t buy any green bananas” aren’t very helpful. Yet I am interested in figuring out how to make wise purchases during my elder years. Especially when this season of life includes that huge intrusive word called ‘downsizing.’ Anyone who has moved to a condominium apartment from 30 years in the same house knows the impact of how much stuff you have and how big or small it is. And so my theme – what do I really need?
How much is enough?
When I do need something (even after major downsizing), is it adequate to buy the entry-level version of a product or do I need top-of-the-line? Will I expire even before the warranty of the new thing I am buying? Is used better than new? To those of you who know the benefits of shopping at Value Village, I admire and envy you. So, how much is enough?
I don’t have a neat and tidy how-to manual for you. But a few personal examples may demonstrate some of the thoughts that go through my mind when I buy stuff these days. And may also illustrate that, quite often in life, ‘less is more.’
A New Electric Shaver
After 15 or more years, it was time to replace my electric shaver. I’ve pretty much always been a Braun shaver loyalist other than brief and somewhat bloody excursions into manual straight razors. Costco carried only the top-of-the-line Braun Series 9 with a hefty $379 (plus taxes) price tag. It definitely was in a class of its own. Multidirectional shaver head. Large brick charger. Even its own little bathtub for cleaning. A lot to pack up for trips. The bathtub would probably stay at home. I looked at the shaver every time I was at Costco. But just could not overcome the barrier of paying that much for something that simply cut the hair off my face.
Browsing at London Drugs one day, I saw the same Series 9 (S9) on sale for $279 (plus taxes). Yes! That was a bit more ‘reasonable.’ So I bought it. The bathtub was quite a mystery to me so I downloaded the manual (of course, there were almost no instructions in the box itself). After letting it sit unused for several days on the bathroom counter, I faced the same mental hurdle as with the $379 version. So I returned it.
When back at London Drugs, I asked to see other options for Braun electric shavers. A young man unlocked the cupboard (yes, these instruments of warfare on your face were considered just as worthy of protection from theft as guns and Bowie knives). He had to stand there while I looked at several other models. And there, to my joy, was a Braun Series 7 (S7). Regular price $269 on sale for $179. I bought it. When opening the box at home, I felt like Goldilocks with the porridge, chair, and bed. “Ah, just right!” Nice and compact. Flexible head. No bathtub. Small charger unit. And my face responded to S7 so well right away. It didn’t need top-of-the-line to be happy.
Postscript: Since writing the above paragraphs, I have been totally satisfied with S7. It is everything I hoped it would be. A joy to shave. And, I may have been a bit hasty in assuring S5 that I would use it occasionally.
A New Toaster
We needed a new toaster at our lake cabin. My spouse and I headed to the local Co-op store. Two toasters were on display. The one for $95 was radiant with chrome and neat ‘bells and whistles.’ The other, for $28, was chromeless and drab white. It had nothing but two little slots (no bagels please), a skimpy push-down lever, and a cheap slide button for degree of crustiness.
I gently took 95 out of its box in a manner similar to the first time I held our bishon frisé puppy. A pup that was supposed to be a ‘lap’ dog but grew to hang down to the floor on both sides of my lap. Shaken out of my reverie by a quiet voice, I heard the question, “And how many more years do you think you’re going to need a toaster?” I was about 67 at the time. It’s probably not necessary to say it was toaster 28 that I carried to the checkout and not 95. And, with my one free hand, I waved a sad goodbye to 95.
To not share the rest of the story would be quite selfish of me. That shopping trip happened about 10 years ago and, since then, 28 has produced a consistent product without complaint. My doubts have turned to confidence and trust. There is no indication of old age in 28 even as it sees me gradually moving into that realm myself. And, with 28 being pure white as was our bichon, I find myself cradling it gently from the shelf to the counter each morning. At least 28 has not grown to hang down to the floor on both sides of my lap.
So, back to the question, “How much is enough?”
As you can see from my two examples, I seem to be moving into a more conservative approach to the issue. Sometimes ‘less is more.’ More satisfying to know you dialed yourself back a little. Exercised some self-discipline. Saved a few dollars that maybe you could be generous with to help someone else. Made a statement to unbridled consumerism that you weren’t in that game anymore.
While holding your version of that $389 shaver or $98 toaster, don’t rush to the checkout station. Pause. Ask yourself the question, “How will I feel when I get home, have a sleep, and look at this thing tomorrow? What will I think then? Will I be glad that . . . or will I wish that . . .?”
If you had gone for the ‘less is more’ choice, there is a good chance you will be glad.
Addendum
I thought I was done with this piece. But it was still in the outbox awaiting publication on the website. So, an experience a few days ago is too relevant to ignore.
A New Electric Toothbrush
Between my wife and my dental hygienist, I was compelled to convert to a battery-operated toothbrush about three years ago. And, with additional loving (wife) and kind (hygienist) pressure, I upped the ante to using it twice a day (sometimes) from just once.
Due to a lack of loving kindness on my part, my toothbrush usually looks pretty yukky and in need of a good cleaning. So, when at Costco recently, I was drawn to the new Oral-B iO model on sale at what I thought was an attractive price. Especially since, in one box, you got two full sets (one black and one white) of toothbrushes, chargers, travel cases, etc. I was quite sure my wife would also love to have the latest Oral-B iO. And, knowing I can always (and often have to) take things back to Costco, I bought the box plus a set of additional brush heads (also on a good sale).
At that point, upon returning home, I put myself straight back into the grip of the new toaster inquiry process. I tried to stress the encroaching old age of my Oral-B set. Thankfully, I wasn’t asked the “And how many more years do you think you’re going to need . . .?” question. That would be like trying to guess when all my teeth would be falling out. But you probably already know where this ended. The two boxes are sitting beside me patiently awaiting their return journey to Costco.
I’m actually okay with it.
My motivating question for this piece was “How much is enough?” And I even included in the title a response: “Sometimes ‘less is more’.” To get to that ‘less,’ there are times when we need external help for making the decision. And we are fortunate if we have people and other positive influences in life to provide that assistance. So that, when we get home (from return trip to Costco), have a sleep, and look back at it tomorrow, we can honestly say, “I’m glad that . . .” rather than “I wish that . . .”