Do you also prefer austere things to luxurious ones?

NomenNescio

Dual Sense Edger and Blower
As I age, I realize I always end up preferring high quality but low-key stuff over luxury items.

I used to drive a RAV4 Hybrid, which I sold a few years ago and since have been driving a "luxury" car. Although I love my current car, sometimes I really miss my RAV4. How discrete it was, how well it blended, how little gas it required, how comfy it was. Sometimes I just get in my car and think "this is beautiful, but it's a bit much". Too pretty, too fancy, draws too much attention, just too much. The single fact of getting it dirty makes me uncomfortable. I don't regret this purchase because it has given me perspective, but I don't think I will be buying another luxury vehicle again in the future.

I have the same feeling towards any type of item really, like clothes, etc. I rather wear my G-Shock over a Rolex. Much higher peace of mind, and it might actually be more accurate, LOL. Of course I appreciate the craftsmanship of the Rolex, but that's pretty much it, an appreciation, not a desire to own it or wear it.

Recently I had to furnish my kitchen from the ground up. I hired the best in the business, but chose very simple (although high quality) designs and materials. The kitchen ended up beautiful.

Even with videogames, even though I could purchase an ultra high PC, I still see myself preferring to game on console. Maybe some games which perform better on PC I would play them there, but I ultimately don't care about having the best visuals when I'm more comfortable with consoles. And the games still look and play great. At the end of the day, the "best" experience for you might not necessarily be the most expensive.
 
Agree. There are very few things where I'd want the best and even then it's not the best best.

I really wanted an OLED. But I bought the C series instead of the G series.

I bought a car that has lots of bells and whistles. Is it considered a luxury car? Definitely not, but it has leather interior, moonroof, lots of tech, etc. More than enough for me.

The PS5 is plenty for me to be happy. Yea I'd like to have 4k 60fps and I will be getting the Pro at some point, but I'm not complaining.

We all have a law of diminishing returns threshold, for most of us it's restricted by finances, but sometimes even when they're not an issue, you just want to know you got a good deal.
 
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I used to try to find the best "deal" on items which often led me to get the less expensive items but after getting burnt a few times, I now buy the better choice. I'd rather buy something that costs twice as much but last twice as long.

I also prefer old things over new things. New stuff is great, but I'd rather stick with things I know. For example, my wife keeps wanting to get me a new chair. I don't want a new one! I want my old one!
 
I used to try to find the best "deal" on items which often led me to get the less expensive items but after getting burnt a few times, I now buy the better choice. I'd rather buy something that costs twice as much but last twice as long.

I also prefer old things over new things. New stuff is great, but I'd rather stick with things I know. For example, my wife keeps wanting to get me a new chair. I don't want a new one! I want my old one!

What people call the best deal many times is a misnomer. Getting garbage for dirt cheap is not a deal by any stretch of the imagination.
 
I love my Casio G-Shock 5610. Never needs a new battery, the time never needs to be adjusted, and you could drive over it with a truck and it would still work - the perfect watch (solar powered, connects to atomic signal for timekeeping). Costs about $150.

Things don't have to be expensive to be of high quality.

My 16 year old Civic is still going strong and I think looks good (better than some of the new model Civics).
 
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It depends on what kind of flash and if you really enjoy it, for example I would not go out and buy a $1400 RC remote transmitter if I had no experience or a real urge to fly, the same with flashy cars, do I want to spend that much money on something I probably would only enjoy on the track? I don't know, if im just driving from here to work id rather drive a taurus police interceptor lol. Im still guilty of paying scalper prices for the latest and greatest in electronics, but I guess that's also flashy for some, but electronics are much cheaper than $700 dollar car payments.
 
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As I age, I realize I always end up preferring high quality but low-key stuff over luxury items.

Even with videogames, even though I could purchase an ultra high PC, I still see myself preferring to game on console.
Fail Nick Young GIF
 
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I care for quality. And when it comes to luxuy, I prefer brands that are low-key. So no Rolex, Omega or Breitling, but rather what I said in watch thread: A Nomos Glashütte.

Some brands are there for less fortunate people that, after working long and hard, can finally afford something nice/good and expensive. Then I don't blame them to get something that stands. I'll leave it to everyone else to think about which brands those are for you.
 
I don't really care for much for brands, I care about quality and durability. Typically when I buy something I keep it for years. Like I had my first car for such a long time it began to become difficult finding parts, but it would tank New England winters better than anything.
 
I like to buy expensive, ostentatious things to make other people feel bad about themselves. Serves them right, the filthy poors.
 
Im all about the best, ultra high end, high quality, most powerfull product, thats why I game on the Microsoft Xbox Series X.
 
I'm no rich person so it's all hypothetical, but I've always been more interested in quality brands instead of luxury brands. Now they aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, but I mean more like the difference between Rolls Royce and Jeep. I'd rather buy a quality car I can drive in rough environments on roadtrips, than something that's worth ten times more, but can't deal with even a speed bump.

Same with wristwatches, where I'd put my money on some really rugged stuff that'll last years of abuse instead of on a diamond-sprinkled Rolex. I'm generalizing a lot here so don't nitpick. I get more joy from rustic houses like lumber cottages than from three-story LA mansions with three swimming pools. If I ever became a billionaire I'd probably be a forest dweller rather than a city dweller.
 
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I had Euro 240V plugs installed cause I didn't like North America's small appliance style. I only travel first class but mostly wear only paramilitary clothing cause it lasts. My parents were extremely poor and I was taught that we're not rich enough to buy something of poor quality.
 
I had Euro 240V plugs installed cause I didn't like North America's small appliance style. I only travel first class but mostly wear only paramilitary clothing cause it lasts. My parents were extremely poor and I was taught that we're not rich enough to buy something of poor quality.
Could you recommend some good paramilitary clothing? I don't really know what that entails, but I'm picturing one of those black or dark blue knitted sweaters with a different material on the shoulders and black slim cargo pants.
 
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Could you recommend some good paramilitary clothing? I don't really know what that entails, but I'm picturing one of those black or dark blue knitted sweaters with a different material on the shoulders and black slim cargo pants.
This is the brand I usually buy, they have lots of style for your likings.

 
For me with luxury shit I don't need it's not just about being able to afford to buy it but being able to afford to not worry about it getting broken/lost/whatever. If owning it will be a source of stress I'd rather go without.
 
I bought my first car new and after tanking the 6 years of car payments it got totaled. Several car adventures later I ended up with the same model car, now only worth $4k. Paid up front, do some easy maintenance like brakes myself. Common Toyota parts. Much more money to do other things with, and no stress about dings. If I was as thoughtful back then as I am now, with the money I could have saved I could be over 100k richer today (an extra 15k to invest nearly 20 years ago).

I think it says something that a lot of millionaires drive average cars and hide in plain sight, they became millionaires because they're efficient with money.
 
I'm more for quality in every sense, but there's a limit with the price

Was used with the GalaxyBook. Strong body, very pretty in the eyes. Can I get a gamer notebook (better specs overall) instead at the same price? Sure, but with the range cost, only the big noisy plastic ones I can afford. Got a ThinkPad now and it's great
 
I have the same feeling towards any type of item really, like clothes, etc. I rather wear my G-Shock over a Rolex. Much higher peace of mind, and it might actually be more accurate, LOL. Of course I appreciate the craftsmanship of the Rolex, but that's pretty much it, an appreciation, not a desire to own it or wear it.

Recently I had to furnish my kitchen from the ground up. I hired the best in the business, but chose very simple (although high quality) designs and materials. The kitchen ended up beautiful.
I'm fine with having a luxury watch (I have a PP), but I cannot understand people that have a collection of 10 of them - just why?

Regarding the kitchen - this is how you flex. Simplification is the ultimate luxury. I did exactly the same when we redid our house.
 
I've always just bought things I find are good value and look decent. If it turns out to be a $15 Ikea print (I have those hanging on a wall), I'll take that over a $150 print. I'll go to Homesense and buy stuff for my walls or shelves for $30 than paying $300 for one of a kind art. Who cares.

In general, I have a budget for most things I wont spend above...... coats and shoes no more than $100-120, car no more than $60k, TV no more than $2k, watch no more than $300, living room sofa set $1,000-1,500 etc.... Costco has really skewed my purchasing too. I only buy jeans from there and can get Calvin Klein and Buffalo jeans for $25. I will never buy them from a department store for $100 ever again.

When I need some boring black Tshirts, I buy $10 Walmart George shirts which are awesome and durable, or I find a 4 pack at Costco for $20. Is there a chance someone will see the label on the back of my neck and laugh? Dont care. I'd probably beat you to the punch and outright tell you (like now) it is a George shirt.

I'm pragmatic when I buy things, though I still want it looking decent and not slummy.
 
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