Comments on: Spending on Your Passion

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:07:57 +0000

Where did you buy yours? I came across a couple at Marshalls in a good size (normally all I can find are odd sizes) and I came close to buying but couldn’t pull the trigger. They were still a little over $100.

By: tarits

tarits — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:20:22 +0000

agree! i’m passionate about theater and music, so i won’t hesistate to spend money on tickets for really good seats to a musical play by my favorite theater group,or to watch choirs perform. i do take advantage of free shows when they fit my schedule, but paying for the privilege is also my way of supporting the culture and the arts.

By: Ellen / MoneyLounge

Ellen / MoneyLounge — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:46:08 +0000

This post hits home with me. My passions are in computers and technology and design, so naturally a new macbook pro is the equivalent for me of cast iron cookware for you. I have been back and forth trying to justify buying a new one to replace my ancient one and have settled on a doable solution. I will start a “savings account” using Apple gift cards that I purchase when I can afford. As I start a pile of plastic in my quest for a new laptop, the money remains set aside with a single purpose in mind. Hopefully I’ll get there soon, but only when I can really afford it.

By: sbt

sbt — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:25:59 +0000

I agree that sometimes it’s worth spending the money to get something of quality that will last and be useable for a long, long time. That said, I could not bring myself to buy the La Creuset. I’m just too cheap. On the other hand, after some research, I found the Lodge enameled cast iron, and bought a nice casserole on special for $29.99. It’s great quality, and so far I am very, very happy with it. Enameled cast iron is fantastic.

On another note, when it comes to plain cast iron, IMHO, there is not a single piece of new stuff that is worth buying. It is all cast with low quality casting sand that leaves a rough surface. 20 years of seasoning will not change this. My cast iron comes from Grandma, or from estate sales and auctions, and dates to the 1920′s. It is as smooth as glass, and completely nonstick. Average price paid for the ones I bought, $20-40. Great stuff.

By: SLCCOM

SLCCOM — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:15:46 +0000

#22, I don’t know where you live, but they don’t build landfills in people’s back yards. BAck yards may end up near a landfill, but that is permitted by the local zoning. And there is no shortage of land for landfills, and when they are filled up, they often become very desirable housing developments.

And they are very well engineered,and there is very little leakage into the places where there is groundwater. And there aren’t that many places depending on groundwater.

People should enjoy the things they want to enjoy without people like you laying guilt trips.

By: Stephan F-

Stephan F- — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:32:21 +0000

We love our Le Creuset.
We got a larger one 7.5q for pot roasts and it has come in pretty handy. Our current apartment has a lousy oven and we use it as an intermediary vessel for roasting chicken. Makes for a much more even roast.
We recently got the metal knob for doing a few things at higher oven temps, since the regular bakelite ones top out at 400F or so.

#24 Don’t got with the Lodge just yet, they outsourced that to China and the enamel is falling off pretty often.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:42:44 +0000

Cook’s Illustrated reviewed Dutch ovens earlier this year. They found that several brands were comparable in quality to Le Creuset and much less expensive – Tramontina, Lodge, and I believe Chefmate. All were in the $40-50 range.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:31:23 +0000

Yes so true, it’s why we save money on everyday unimportant things – so we can afford to spend guiltlessly on our passions. That’s good living.

I also love our Le Creuset oven, definitely a great investment for me too. At the other end of the scale though, I have an awesome cast iron skillet that will also last a life time and it was $8 at the army disposals store.

By: steven@hundredgoals.com

steven@hundredgoals.com — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:50:53 +0000

@#18- eWaste & disposal…this stuff has to go somewhere. Landfills are in people’s backyards and all too often they leak leachate into the local aquifer.

By: triLcat

triLcat — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:04:02 +0000

Dave #9 For things like jewelry (which an expensive watch is) and high-quality tools, you should be insured against theft or loss if you have anything of value.

By: almost there

almost there — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:19:09 +0000

Dave #9,I love quartz watches for their accuracy, but hate changing the batteries. I bought a rolex to replace the one that I sold to start a savings fund for my child. Hardly ever wear it as it is not as accurate as a quartz watch. In hindsight, a foolish purchase for me. I have now discovered the perfect quartz watch, a Citizen Eco-Drive model that was pretty inexpensive ($74, new) and guaranteed to never need a replacement battery as it is solar powered. Like you, I had my craftsman tools stolen during a move so just buy inexpensive ones now.

By: Georgia

Georgia — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:14:34 +0000

I do not cook all that much anymore, since I am only one. However, I have what I feel is an excellent set of pans. I have a cheap set that is 10-15 years old (1-2 qt & 1-1 qt saucepans with lids) which work marvelously. They are the waterless type and clean up so nicely.

My skillets, in several sizes, are what used to be sold on HSN as Ultrex. The linings are warrantied for 50-75 years. As the gentleman said, you can scrape the lining and it will still be nonstick. He even sent metal utensils with his items.

I bought my daughter a complete set when she acquired her first home. She had one of her skillets catch on fire. It still works very well. My husband, God rest his soul, did not understand the directions to not keep the heat high as it was distributed evenly. To fry eggs, he would turn the heat on high. The inside of this skillet is scarred, but it is still nonstick. I use in several times a week.

This brand is no longer on sale on HSN. It has a different name on the market. This man said he manufactured pans from the high to the low end. These pots &pans are all I will ever need & they will last me the rest of my life. I’m 72 now.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:04:36 +0000

Just out of curiousity, how does a TV harm someone else’s drinking water or backyard?

By: anne

anne — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:51:32 +0000

over time you spend a fortune on ingredients for the meals you make, and lots of time prepping the food and then cleaning up after.

you’re saving money if the pots and pans you cook the food in keep you from burning the ingredients, and make it quicker and easier to clean up after.

i think some people don’t think they’re good cooks only because they’re struggling to cook w/ flimsy pots and pans, and they’re burning food. they think it’s their fault, but it’s not- it’s just too hard to cook w/ cheap pots and pans. and then the clean up after?? ugh.

i’ve put together our farberware set by scouring estate sales, tag sales, and thrift shops. i bought one large pot new, but the rest i bought already used.

and i love cast iron skillets, too. i had the hardware store order me an extra large one- it’s so heavy, but i just love it. and you can start it on the stove top and then finish in the oven or broiler.

good pots and pans pay for themselves pretty quickly- they really do.

i don’t think i’ve ever found any used le creuset-
i imagine it’s a combination of people not wanting to part w/ it, or other shoppers scooping them up before i get there.

i suppose i’ll have to buy it new.

so what’s this special deal you found, trent- is it online?? care to share your source??

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:01:35 +0000

This is sound financial advice. Save for what you want, do your homework and buy the kind of quality you need to fulfill your goal.

By: ej

ej — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:35:11 +0000

“a 52 inch plasma … what’s the harm?”

The harm may not be to your wallet, but someone else’s drinking water/back yard.
Just saying that all our choices have impacts.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:34:57 +0000

@tambo The kitchen aid stand mixer was our fancy purchase year #2. Also totally worth it. (And, when the engine burned out after a year and some it was still under warranty and they sent us their top of the line model, with the stronger engine, as a replacement. Another company with excellent customer service.)

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:23:29 +0000

@tambo #11–When you get that kitchen aid mixer, it will be worth every penny you spent. I have one and it’s the best mixer I have ever owned.

By: Kenney

Kenney — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:56:31 +0000

I think more important than just spending on things that you’re passionate about, is to not spend unconsciously or fall victim to buying things for the wrong reasons (mainly to impress other folks). But if you want something that is really nice and expensive, and you can afford it, and the purchase makes sense? I say why not. You only live once.

By: tambo

tambo — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:46:37 +0000

I’m saving up for a kitchen aid stand mixer, so the cast iron casseroles will have to wait for me, but they’re definitely on the list! :)