Simple Living

2024 Budget and Wardrobe Update I'm planning to stick to a budget of around $500 for 2024. I’m getting better at managing my expenses and am on track to hit $740 for 2023. Planned Items Most of my budget will be allocated towards clothes and shoes: Shoes - $141 Air Jordan 1 Low (Size 10.5M) - $86 - Purchased Stan Smith White/Green (Size 10M) - $55 - Purchased Clothes - $216 Bomber Jacket - $200 - Skip for 2025 Polo Letterman Navy - $160 - Purchased Levi Denim Jacket - $36 - Purchased Uniqlo T-Shirts (3x)  - $50 - Purchased Blue Jeans - $50 - Skip for 2025 Watches - $40 Casio A168WG - $40 - Purchased Tech - $240 iPhone 16 - $200 - Purchased Anker 10k Power Bank - $40 - Purchased Total Spending So far, I've spent a total of $637 .  I may increase my budget to $800 if I need to replace additional clothing items, but I don't anticipate needing much more. Future Considerations The only unknown factor is whether I will upgrade to the iPhone 16, depending on how it compar...

Weekend Coffee Update I’m enjoying a nice coffee weekend and recently stopped by the newest Summer Moon location in North Texas. As the weather is getting chillier, I treated myself to a very decent cappuccino, which I’d rate a solid 7 out of 10 . It’s great to discover a cozy spot like this outside of Deep Ellum. Another excellent option in the area is Pax & Beneficia , located in Plano near Alma. Both places offer a nice atmosphere for coffee lovers.

Milestone Achievement: 100,000 Miles on My 2015 Camry Today marks a significant milestone: my 2015 Camry has officially hit 100,000 miles ! When I purchased it in 2022, it had 88,000 miles, which means I've added just 12,000 miles over the past 22 months —approximately 600 miles per month . To put this into perspective, I'm driving at about half the rate of the previous owner, who would have needed to cover 1,000 miles per month to reach that 88,000-mile mark in seven years. Looking Ahead: A Decade More to Go Ideally, I want this car to last an additional 70,000 miles or 10 more years , assuming I continue driving around 7,000 miles per year . That would bring the total mileage to a reasonable 170,000 miles . I test drove another 2015 Camry with similar mileage before purchasing this one, and it drove effortlessly, which reassures me about the car’s longevity. While I’m less concerned about the mileage itself, I am mindful of its age. The Camry will reach 8 years old in 20...

Taco Bell Pass Experience: A Month of Tacos I decided to give the $10 Taco Bell Pass a try, which allows me to enjoy one taco per day for 30 days . This seemed like a fantastic deal, especially since it includes Taco Supremes for about 33 cents each ! Day 2 - Confirmed It Works I had no doubts about its legitimacy since it’s through the official app. I enjoyed my second discounted Taco Supreme today, and by Day 4 , I’ll have already broken even on my investment. Day 23 - This Was Such a Good Deal! I must say, I’ve indulged in quite a few discounted tacos 🌮—it’s becoming almost ridiculous! With only a week left in the challenge, I’m feeling the effects of my taco-heavy diet. On the bright side, I’ve also scored at least six more free tacos from welcome gifts and other promotions. By my estimate, I’ve spent $10 and received around $90 worth of Taco Bell ! Day 30 - And It’s Done As the month comes to a close, I feel a mix of sadness and relief. I’ve enjoyed the experience, but I’m al...

Embracing the Charisma of the Casio A168 The Casio A168 possesses a unique charisma and charm that captivates once you experience it—this inexpensive gem is hard to resist! I'm currently debating whether to make it my daily driver again. Update - 10/14/23 I decided to wear the A168 for several days, and I’ve come to realize how much I rely on my Apple Watch for quick updates, like checking the weather and accessing other information that typically requires pulling out my iPhone. While the A168 is perfect for at-home use—where I only need to check the date and time—it becomes less practical when I’m outdoors. The functionality of the Apple Watch truly shines in those moments. That said, I’m glad I gave the A168 a shot. While it may have disrupted my three rings and exercise records, does it really matter if it’s logged on my Apple Watch as long as I maintain my exercise routines? Absolutely not!

Growing Affection for the Huntsman Victorinox I'm increasingly drawn to the Victorinox Huntsman 4-layer model. Initially, I thought I'd prefer the Deluxe Climber or Tinker , but the added height from the pliers makes that preference debatable. Surprisingly, I’m also enjoying the Champion Plus for everyday carry (EDC); it’s even larger than any of my 4-layer models! What’s really swaying my preference towards the Huntsman is the inclusion of the wood saw . It makes it an ideal choice for true EDC functionality. In addition to the Huntsman, I have most of the common 4-layer options available, except the Mountaineer , Angler , Fisherman , and Deluxe Tinker . However, I doubt I would carry the Fisherman or Angler in a practical sense; they seem more suited for collectors. The Mountaineer sounds appealing, but I’d rather seek out a discontinued Passenger or Ranger for my collection.