Simple Living

Gardening Update I've been cultivating my plant collection since the lockdown, and I've recently downsized to 5 plants after some ups and downs. Here’s a recap of my current lineup and some updates: Current Plant Collection: 8-inch Pots: Sansaviera (oldest, 3 years) Parlor Palm 6-inch Pot: Xanthosoma (Elephant’s Ear) 5-inch Pots: Sansaviera x2 Updates: 1/13/24: Added a Xanthosoma for $14.99, opting for it over a Monstera. 6/10/24: Unfortunately, my orchid died after blooming twice, so I’m now down to 6 plants. I also trimmed my golden pothos to manage its long vines better. 10/15/24: Let go of the pothos due to health issues, leaving me with just 5 plants. Thankfully, my Parlor Palm survived a spider mite infestation and has recovered. I’m looking forward to nurturing the remaining plants and possibly adding a larger one in the future.

Personal Collections Review for 2024 Another year, another review of my personal collections. My last review was in 2021. I've dropped the Whisky collection as I'll treat it as consumables. I. Total Value ~$13,200 The value of my collections is actually modest, as only a few items make up the bulk of the monetary value, primarily my Rolex, Omega, and iPhone 16.  Remove those, and it's about ~$2,400 in value of the rest of my 'stuff.' This may change as I'm contemplating a major purchase in 2025 to finally acquire either a Rolex Submariner 14060 or an Omega Speedmaster Professional, budgeting ~$4,000 to $8,000 for such a major acquisition. This would double the value of my collections. II. Full Collection 1. Headphones -- 9 Total Value: ~$600 Decreased by -1 as I chucked the AKG’s and can’t find a 3rd pair of old Apple earbuds, while at the same time adding several wireless options as well as Lightning Apple Earbuds. I also cleared out my AirPod Pros (gifted) an

Cash Stash Goal I want to increase my cash on hand to $1,000 . I presently have $720 , separate from my regular savings and retirement accounts. I like having some physical cash on hand, which I squirrel away in several locations, rarely keeping more than $150-200 in my wallet. Most stashes are small, about $40-50 each. Current Stash Goals Here's my target breakdown for the $1,000 cash goal: Wallet : $200 Safe : $600 Med Stash : $50 Med Stash : $50 Med Stash : $40 Med Stash : $40 Small Stash : $20 I plan to grow these stashes gradually, adding about $20 per week , so it will take me a year to reach $1,000 . Long-Term Plan If this goes to plan, I’ll continue this for two more years , adding $500 per year until I max out at $2,000 in physical cash by 2026 . My future allocation will look like this: Wallet : $400 Safe : $1,200 Med Stash : $100 Med Stash : $100 Med Stash : $100 Small Stash : $50 Small Stash : $50 This strategy helps me feel secure with physical cash while keeping

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

My Weight Loss Journey: Breaking Through the Plateau I've tried for years to lose weight, but each attempt ended in short-lived success, as I quickly lost focus. Recently, my weight hit 184 lbs, and I decided to try again, motivated by feeling and looking bloated. Despite setbacks, I'm determined to achieve my goal this time. Current Progress Starting Weight: 184 lbs Goal: 150 lbs (new target), revised from 155 lbs Plateau: I hit 165 lbs in May 2024, but I'm stuck here despite consistent effort. Summary of Goals & Plan Old Goal: 155 lbs (BMI 22.2) New Goal: 150 lbs Caloric Deficit: Aim to lose 34 lbs, or about 119,000 calories Timeframe: 15-29 weeks, focusing on 2 lbs per week Weight Loss Strategy Outline Weekly Weight and Step Goals Vacation Takeaway: 20k Steps Daily is Possible Diet Strategy: Avoid Junk Food and Eat Healthier Daily Step Goal: 10k Steps Alcohol Limitation Reward Goal: AirPods for Motivation Journey Log   1. Weekly Weight Loss Progress Summary

Paid Memberships and Subscriptions Overview It's easy to overlook ongoing memberships and subscriptions. Here’s a breakdown of mine: Groceries - $110 Costco: $60/yr Sam's Club: $50/yr Streaming - $108 Amazon Prime: $139/yr (Cancelled 2023) Netflix: $108/yr Disney+: $120/yr (Cancelled 2024) Utility/Maintenance - $400 Blink Camera: $30/yr Anti-Virus: $70/yr Car Wash: $300/yr Events - $110 Gym: $360/yr (Cancelled 2023) Museum: $165/yr (Cancelled 2023) Garden: $110/yr Total Membership Cost per Year: $728 Updates 2023 - Cancelled Amazon Prime: I decided to quit Amazon Prime as I mainly used it for free shipping, which I can achieve by bundling orders. 2023 - Keeping Costco & Sam's Club: Although I shop infrequently, I find the membership worthwhile for the cheaper gas. 2023 - Keeping Car Wash Membership: The unlimited car washes for $240/yr save me time and keep my car clean, making this expense justifiable. 2023 - Evaluating Cuts: I'm considering cancelling the Gym

My IKEA Collection Journey I've recently become enamored with IKEA and have built a small collection of pieces to furnish my place. By focusing on pre-owned items , I managed to save around $600 . Here's a look at my finds: Acquisitions Vika Grevsta Desk - $40 (originally $90) Jokkmokk Dining Set with 4 Chairs - $50 (originally $250) Malm Bed - $150 (originally $300) Tarva Bed - $40 (originally $200) Malm Dresser - $25 (originally $150) Kallax Shelf 12 - $129 Gladom Table - $25 Lack Tables (2 small, 1 medium) - $40 Rugs (5’ x 8’) - 3x - $130 Nissafors Utility Cart - $33 Hemnes Nightstands - 3x - $50 (originally $390) Billy Bookshelf - $50 Tagarp Lamps - 5x - $25 (originally $60) Vidja Lamp - $25 (originally $60) Omar Wine Rack - $60 Bankesta Coffee Tables - 2x - $25 (originally $150) Vintage vs. New I find that vintage pieces, particularly those made from solid wood , have a charm and durability that newer items often lack. The Vika Grevsta desk, a 20-year-ol

Year-End Review: 2023 Purchases and Reflections Another year has gone by, and I’ve accumulated quite a bit of new stuff, from clothes to tech. 2022 was a banner year for me, but 2023 is the time to improve the quality of my wardrobe and invest in a new computer. Planned Purchases Tech - $106 Dell Precision 7530 - $250 - Sold JBL 510BT Headphones - $30 - Done Vuolao V8 Headphones - $16 - Done Apple AirPods 2nd Gen - $60 - Done Shoes - $311 Jordan 1 Mids 9.5 - $110 - Done Jordan 1 Lows 10.5 - $130 - Done Air Force 1s 10 - $71 - Done Clothes - $323 Uniqlo - Clothing Haul - $150 - Done North Face - Winter Jacket - $173 - Done Hobbies - $0 Swiss Army Knives - $0* - Done Total Expenditures: $740 I’m keeping it simple. For the Jordan 1s, I’m considering the Black & White Panda colorway or Green/Black/White to have something a bit more subdued than my current pair. I also added a pair of budget-friendly Bluetooth headphones. While I love the AirPods Pro, I’m finding it easier to have tra

Spring Cleaning: Selling Unused Items Overview I'm in the process of decluttering my space and making room for things I truly value. I've identified several items that I seldom use anymore, and I've listed them for sale. While selling electronics often means taking a hit on their original purchase price, it’s a step towards better financial management. Items for Sale Here’s a breakdown of what I’m letting go of and their respective prices: Victorinox INOX watch - $300 Swatch - $400 Timex - $170 Tiffany Ring - $250 Tiffany Bracelet - $200 iPad (2018) - $150 GoPro 5 - $150 Switch Lite - $125 PS4 - $175 Fire HD8 - $25 Sansa Clip - $40 Anker Speaker - $15 Financial Summary Total Cash from Sales: ~$2,000 This total represents about 60% of the original value of all these items. Reflection While it stings to see how much tech depreciates, especially selling electronics for less than half their original value, I recognize the worth of the experiences I had with them. B

2022 Wish List and Spending Summary As 2021 comes to a close, I'm planning my acquisitions for 2022, focusing on various collections and budgeting around $800. Summary Clothes & Shoes : $633 Knives : $58 Watches : $329 (final cost for SE2 only) iPhone : $200 Tech : $25 Final Total Spent : $1,245 Overall, I spent a bit more than expected, but each acquisition feels worthwhile. 2022 - Initial Wish List Clothes - $360 Uniqlo T-Shirts x3 - $45 - DONE Uniqlo Polo Shirt x2 - $50 - DONE Banana Republic Crew Sweater - $15 - DONE Uniqlo Heat Tech Shirt - $20 - DONE Uniqlo Ultra Down - $80 - DONE Northface Venture 2 Rain Jacket - $100 - DONE Adidas Red Gym Shorts x2 - $50 - DONE Total Spent : $360 Shoes - $200 ($110 spent) Air Jordan 1 - $110 - DONE Total Spent : $110 Total Spent Overall : $470 Wardrobe Refresh 2022 is a refresh year for my wardrobe. I’ve standardized on Uniqlo Supima Cotton T-Shirts . Despite being pricier than Hanes, Uniqlo’s Supima lasts significantly longer,

Updated Inventory List for Collections I've made some updates to my collections, adding a new category for Swiss Army Knives and shifting my focus from Clothing to Sneakers. Here’s the current overview: Inventory Overview Headphones: 11 Tech: 12 Watches: 7 Swiss Army Knives: 16 Sneakers: 4 Fountain Pens: 4 Whisky: 3 The only collection that hasn’t changed since 2018 is my Fountain Pens; all other collections have expanded or evolved. 1. Headphones (11) I reduced this collection by three items, letting go of my old MDR-ZX, ATH-EQ500, and WM-77 models, which I hadn't used in years. Breakdown: Over-Ear: Audio Technica - ATH-MSR7 Audio Technica - ATH-M50x On-Ear: Grado - SR80e In-Ear: AKG IG955 (Office) Klipsch R6i (Home) Beats Urbeats (Bag) Apple Earbuds x4 Wireless: Apple AirPods Pro 2. Tech (12) I added an iPhone 11, Amazon Fire 8 Tablet, and RG351p to my tech collection. I sold my Apple Shuffle and gave away my old iPhone 6s. I'm also planning to sell the LG K7. Brea

Job Search Journey Summary Overview Duration: 18 weeks (with 5 weeks from application to offer) Initial Outlook: Optimistic due to high job openings, but faced challenges specific to Data Analytics roles. Key Insights Labor Market Shift: Labor Day marked a turning point; prior to September, it was mostly rejections. Burnout: Experienced a significant dip in confidence, requiring a break in Week 11. Resume Format Impact: Transition to Method E resume format (more modern, visually appealing) was crucial, with the first interview requests only appearing after its implementation. Rejection Statistics: 95% rejection rate (includes ghosting) 1 in 20 applications resulted in an interview 3 months for a screening interview 5 weeks from application to an offer Weekly Breakdown Q1: Weeks 1-11 Weeks 1-6: Method A: Direct applications to company websites. Results: 100% rejection rate. Total Apps: 19 Weeks 7-11: Method B: Focused applications to specific companies. Results: Continued high

The Quintessential Swiss Army Knife: A Tribute to the Victorinox Spartan A few years back, I found myself deeply engrossed in the world of Swiss Army multi-tools, culminating in a modest collection of about a dozen pieces. Among them, my favorite has been the Victorinox Spartan in the 91mm format, a true classic that embodies the spirit of Swiss craftsmanship. I have multiple copies, including the smaller Classic , but the Spartan remains my go-to for its blend of functionality and heritage. Heritage and Design The Spartan is based on the 1890s Officer's Knife , a design that harkens back to the origins of the Swiss Army knife. This lineage gives the Spartan a historical significance, being an offshoot of the Model 1890 soldiers' knife, the very tool used by the Swiss Army. Its timeless design captures the essence of what a Swiss Army knife should be: practical, reliable, and straightforward. Spartan Specs Length : 91mm Weight : 2.1 ounces Functions : 12 Large Knife Small Knif

Weight Management Journey: Tracking Progress and Diet Changes My weight has held steady at 173 lbs for the past five years. I started gaining weight from 2004 to 2010, reaching above 170 lbs, which roughly coincided with my decision to stop long-distance running, where I used to run 25-30 miles per week. My Diet (2019 - 2022) In the years following, I explored dietary changes, particularly considering a keto diet due to my research on the issues with processed sugar. I was concerned about potential side effects like feeling tired or sluggish during ketosis. Instead, I decided to focus on reducing my carbohydrate intake by avoiding processed sugar while increasing my protein and fat intake. To simplify my approach, I made four specific changes to my diet: Breakfast: Opted for an egg or tuna salad sandwich. Vegetable Intake: Aimed to eat 8 oz of veggies daily (celery, carrots, cucumbers, etc.). Hydration: Increased water intake to 48 oz daily. Sugar Reduction: Avoided processed sugar

Primary Collections Overview I currently have about 92 items in my primary collections. By treating them as 'collections,' I can focus on carefully selecting which items to add, replace, or keep. Value Estimation Total Items : 91 Total Value : $12,000 Ten items constitute the bulk of the valuation at about $8,000 , with the Rolex and Omega making up most of that amount. The remainder of my possessions totals around $4,000 . I used a combination of depreciated and replacement costs to determine the valuation; for instance, I found my Rolex Explorer online for about $3,700 and used that as the basis for its value. It’s surprising how much money I’ve spent over the years accumulating these items, especially since it amounts to just 91 pieces. Reflecting on this, I realize that none of these are my 'primary' expenditures. I spend significantly more on food, housing, and transportation each year. My car expenses alone—including insurance, registration/taxes, gas, mainte

Minimalist Wardrobe Journey Several years ago, I adopted a minimalist wardrobe approach, reducing my clothing collection from 175 articles to under 38 pieces . Since then, I have been fine-tuning that number and currently own 45 items as of 2018, with a plan to increase to 48 items in 2019. Transitioning to Minimalism My initial focus was on reducing the total count of clothing items. Now, I am in the process of fine-tuning my wardrobe by identifying specific colors and types of clothing. This ensures a balanced and versatile wardrobe ensemble. Core Colors I have settled on three core colors : Black, Blue, and White . These colors constitute roughly 70% of my total wardrobe. In 2019, I plan to gradually introduce more color choices, notably incorporating a Red Adidas Track Jacket into my collection. Brand Quality In my journey, I have been experimenting with various types of clothing and color choices. Once I am satisfied with a particular type or color, I seek out the best bra