Hi all,
As you may or may not know, I drive an audi TT when zipping around in the summer. I also wear 2 pairs of shoes all summer long. Chaco sandals and Salomon water shoes, which are basically sneakers with no socks and lots of venting. The chacos are literally 15 years old, because I bought a good pair one time. The Audi is the same, but everybody who sees me thinks I'm rich bc old quality items like that don't lose much value, and still look great 15 years later. I think the salomons are more like 10 years, and they're finally beginning to break down, but I really can't complain about sneakers that take that amount of abuse and keep kicking. My shirts tend to be eddie Bauer travel shirts, which wick and can be worn to dressy occasions or very casual ones, and I work in them most of the summer too. Essentially, I'm dressed in stuff that can be soaking wet one minute and then dry within a half hour. I make clothes as prepped for my summer lifestyle as I am . . . able to jump in any body of water, and without changing continue my day. Everything I buy is adventure grade or very high quality, but I try for sale racks. If a pair of water shoes is $120 but will last me 10 years, I'm only paying $12 a year for them but they are quality. I'm caring for my feet and my body more than if I got walmart water shoes, even if I got a new pair every year. Similarly, the joy I feel driving my Audi with its Bose speakers and red leather interior is greater than if I was driving a new Ford or Hyundai every couple years. And, since I got it used from very fastidious people, it breaks down less than my 2013 Toyota Tacoma (which hardly breaks down at all).
You may be wondering how this relates to smart phones. It sort of does. I don't buy technology this way. I just got the new Samsung s8, with a buy one get one free offer that came with the s3 smartwatch for $50. But, I can afford to keep myself in good technology because I drive an old car and wear old clothes that are quality. My new tech keeps me able to look for good and cheap gear, and so it goes.
Have a great day!
~Mark
