Many of the objects that fill my life could generously be described as "good enough". This is true today, and has been for decades.
It would be reasonable to assume I'm in a state of constant discontent and envy as I observe others driving cars built in this decade, sporting phones with advanced features, working and surfing on sleek new laptops.
But on the contrary, I find my choices deeply satisfying.
My current laptop is a 2015 Lenovo Thinkpad. When new, it was a respected and capable machine. Why shouldn't it still be? When I bought it a year or so ago, it was a significant upgrade over my previous computer. It is, objectively, a good laptop more than adequate for my needs.
Our newest vehicle is a 2015 model, our phones are generic, and my current wardrobe is a collection of Sam's Club finds, many bought on clearance. With the exception of a mildly disgusting vacuum cleaner purchase, I've had great success shopping for refurbished items. My sewing machine, a very basic model, was described by the seller as refurbished and sold for nearly half off retail. Upon inspection, it had clearly never been removed from the package.
To be sure, my decades long proclivity to buy "good enough" rather than "latest and greatest" has reduced our expenses, to the extent that it has been a factor (one among many) in our ability to achieve financial stability and build wealth. That alone could make it a worthwhile practice.
But there's also the "deeply satisfying" part.
That basic sewing machine has given me immeasurable fulfillment, providing an endless outlet for creativity. Our 2015 vehicle has comfort and safety features that were unimaginable in the days of my youth and which still amaze me. My 3-D printer, another refurtb purchase, has nowhere near the capability of the newest models that can print in different materials and colors. It is, nonetheless, a remarkable piece of technology that I find deeply fascinating and enjoyable to use.
And that's the story over and over again.
Yes, I do occasionally purchase new tech. A couple of years ago we finally replaced the 15 year old television I found on Craigslist years ago. I bought a new TV this time, but I did not feel compelled to buy the latest, greatest, largest TV on the market. Even a very basic modern TV is miles ahead of our previous one. And that previous one was miles ahead of what we had before.
True, my old computers can't run current versions of popular operating systems, but that has led me down the fascinating road of free and open source. I can edit photos and videos, print 3-D models and run large language models (i.e. "artificial intelligence") offline, completely divorced from the Apple and Microsoft ecosystems. It has also forced me to learn how to install a hard drive, upgrade a processor, and replace dead speakers in a laptop. Deeply satisfying.
That said, this practice is not for everyone. Some have a legitimate need for cutting edge tech. For others, it brings joy that makes it worth the price. For a precious few, the cost of cutting edge has minimal impact on finances. I offer no judgement.
I do enjoy learning about the latest gear and gadgets. But I rarely feel compelled to own them. And for some people, I believe, feeding that compulsion for the newest thing costs them dearly, and not just financially.
Yes, I occasionally get frustrated by gear that can no longer keep up with my needs. I also find it deeply fulfilling to drive a 20 year old pickup that was innovative when new, still has robust capabilities and gets me where I want to go in comfort, playing music I love on a 6-disc CD changer.
Deeply satisfying.
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