What are the three best purchases you made in the last 3 years?

[WJK]

Generally, what are 2-4 things you've bought hat have been well worth every penny?

Excluding Fastlane books (because I know half or more of you would rightfully call that book one)


Mine:

1. Plugin Bidet(I got a tushy)
   • You really don't know what you're missing out on and how gross it is to not use one until you have it
2. Electric Bike
   • I've put 1000+ miles on this thing in a year. It's awesome to get around and get exercise when I want it
3. Audible subscription
   • My throughput for knowledge consumption probably tripled. I can listen to books exercising, commuting, folding laundry...

So -- what are yours?

I'm into my Audible too...
BUT the best thing I've ever bought is my freedom and my independence. Being financially independent in a world where most people are slaves to their jobs, bosses, and debts is the best thing in the world. When I was young, I was working long hours and going to school while the people around were partying. They made fun of me. They told me I needed to get a life. While they were taking their high dollar vacations via their credit cards, I was saving and investing. They thought I was crazy. I told them that I just had good habits. I worked all week -- at an average of 60 to 70 hours. And I had a good career. Then every Sunday morning I went to my rentals and I mowed the lawns for my tenants. And I cheerfully said good morning to every grumpy one of them. They had spent their Saturday nights drinking while I was preparing for the following week. To them, I had no fun at all. ( I kept reminding them that I also didn't have the fun of a hangover either.)
BUT, now they don't laugh at me. I retired at 49. Years later, I'm still working hard every day. Now it's my choice. It's what I know how to do. I still mow lawns for my tenants, but now it's on my antique 8N tractor with my brush hog. Sometimes, someone will ask me how I did it. I just shrug and tell them that I worked hard. Why should I tell them my magic formula?

 

[Seth G.]

Generally, what are 2-4 things you've bought hat have been well worth every penny?

Excluding Fastlane books (because I know half or more of you would rightfully call that book one)


Mine:

1. Plugin Bidet (I got a tushy)
   • You really don't know what you're missing out on and how gross it is to not use one until you have it
     
2. Electric Bike
   • I've put 1000+ miles on this thing in a year. It's awesome to get around and get exercise when I want it
     
3. Audible subscription
   • My throughput for knowledge consumption probably tripled. I can listen to books exercising, commuting, folding laundry...

So -- what are yours?

 

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[PizzaOnTheRoof]

1. AirPods

2. Engagement ring

3. Cruise vacation

 

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[MoreVolume]

So you've gotten results from advertising on one? Do you track by a customer code I'm guessing? Care to share an data/results?

Most definitely
Sales were indeed tracked with a unique discount code

The first time around was in May. Paid $2K for the advertising. Show was uploaded to Soundcloud and Youtube Tuesday morning. $9k (and change) was made from Tuesday to Tuesday, including $4K ($4,014.86 ) on that first day, which was a record. There was also an increase in sales from Amazon, but there is no way to verify who heard the podcast since there arent any coupons codes.

Sales using that code continued for a good 2 months, decreasing in frequency with time. At the end of June, total sales using that code were $18,580.05 (Shopify analytics)
The ad starts at the 00:47 second mark
https://soundcloud.com/flagrant2podcast%2Flakers-gm-is-a-pathological-liar View: https://soundcloud.com/flagrant2podcast/lakers-gm-is-a-pathological-liar

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoJ3TNLYjGs


I can definitely say that the ad spot raised the profile of the product, and most importantly, added more repeat customers, and members on our mailling lists (who recieve updates on annual sales)

My company re-upped with them last month, and while sales haven't matched the figures from earlier in the year, the investment ($4,500) was recouped in a matter of days, and of course there are more repeat customers and members on our mailing list

 

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[WillHurtDontCare]

I've been lifting for around 4 years and I've achieved mediocre results. I decided enough was enough and just paid someone who looked like what I wanted to look like to create a 1) bodybuilding routine for me & walk me through weak points. It was around $600 total. I've had several people tell me that I'm getting bigger and I hit a few PRs with him.

Key takeaway: if you don't know what you're doing, pay someone who does to tell you what to do. And don't wait 4 years to do it.

2) $200 shoes that helped correct my duck feet.

Edit: Since people asked - I got these guys Brooks Ghost 12 - Reviews by 37 Runners & Experts with a Birkenstock insole (forget the specific type, but they were around $60) from Happy Feet. The insoles help a lot.

It doesn't 100% cure them as it still takes some mindfulness to keep my feet straight while standing, but they help considerably while walking and they are very comfortable.


3) A metal water bottle from Amazon for $20. I drink a lot more water now simply because the water bottle makes it easier.

I might revise this list later, but these are purchases that stand out to me.

 

[BizyDad]

1. AirPods

2. Engagement ring

3. Cruise vacation

Congrats!

For me...

A divorce mediator (as opposed to an attorney. If you gotta, this was the much better way to go).
Tickets to Europe
Tickets to Dallas

 

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[Benji90]

1. My car (£500 and it's lasted 2 years and still going strong) - also always wanted one and I love it.

2. Mattress, current slowlane job as a mechanic, and renting a place for two years with a terrible mattress that the landlord wouldn't replace led me to develop a chronic bad back, moved into a new place in may spending £1500 on a mattress - absolutely heaven! Anyone suffering from a bad back I'd reccomend a high end mattress.

3. Two week trip to Hong Kong with my girlfriend - grew up poor as hell so the last holiday I had I was 10, took me 18 years to get a passport and go abroad and HK was amazing, now I want to travel for a year.

That list tells me how simple my needs are!

 

[minivanman]

1. $2500 minivan to replace my old work van ($1300 4 years ago) that finally bit the dust.... after me saying I was going to move on from it for a year, it finally made me. But guess what? I sold it for $400!

2. I bought outdoor lighting for our house, my 3 sisters and a friend.

3. I don't think I bought anything else... except Dr. Peppers & honey buns @Primeperiwinkle

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Threads like this always end up costing me money.

 

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[AnneC]

For those of you who like Audible, check out Scribd.com. $8.99 per month, unlimited.

 

[PureA]

1. Macbook 2015 top spec
2. QC35 headphones
3. Kindle Oasis

Honourable mentions go to airpods, mattress, external monitor, nice chair/desk, reading chair, spa membership.

 

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[uroz]

the ones that stand our for me
going on a mongol rally - a wish i had for nearly 10 years. not exactly mongol rally but taking a shit car and driving it half the world which in essence is mongol rally.
finally buying a proper road bicycle, getting in shape and eating healthy. because going uphill is hard if you are overweight. it even spawned a business idea im pursuing now.

 

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[MattR82]

300 bucks on a pair of indestructible Ray Bans.

Boxing gloves

Large monitor I bought from @GoodluckChuck that still fits in a backpack lol. Seriously how the hell was I working on a small laptop prior to that I'll never know.

 

[AFMKelvin]

1. Fountain Pen + Ink

2. Double Edge Safety Razor

3. Video Editing PC that I need to use

 

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[wade1mil]

I genuinely can't think of one thing I've bought worth every penny, but I don't buy much stuff and have a terrible memory, so...

Edit: I lied. Brickell face wash was worth every penny.

Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men

Our All Natural face wash for men deeply cleans your skin without drying or irritating your face. Removes dead skin cells and clear pores, brightening your complexion

brickellmensproducts.com

 

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[ZCP]

a weighted sled for the end of workouts (kicks my a$$)

larger ceramic knives for cooking (just get a bunch of them and a bunch of cutting boards)

fastlane meetups / trips (nothing has made as much difference as this. the knowledge. the friendships. the boot in the a$$ to get to work. HIGHLY recommended)

 

[MJ DeMarco]

- Advertising slot on podcast

So you've gotten results from advertising on one? Do you track by a customer code I'm guessing? Care to share an data/results?

 

[LuckyPup]

Generally, what are 2-4 things you've bought hat have been well worth every penny?

Excluding Fastlane books (because I know half or more of you would rightfully call that book one)


Mine:

1. Plugin Bidet(I got a tushy)
   • You really don't know what you're missing out on and how gross it is to not use one until you have it
2. Electric Bike
   • I've put 1000+ miles on this thing in a year. It's awesome to get around and get exercise when I want it
3. Audible subscription
   • My throughput for knowledge consumption probably tripled. I can listen to books exercising, commuting, folding laundry...

So -- what are yours?

1. Hookers
2. Blow
3. Lawyer

I'm kidding. The hookers and blow were a gift.

 

[Thinh]

Oh, I just said this to myself recently a few times in the last years, like literally "damn, this is the best purchase I made this year."

• Bose QC35. The sound quality and noise reduction are fantastic, which allow me to get in the zone, focus, relax or block out noise. Makes meditating, working, sleeping much better/easier.
• Philips One Blade. The kind of gear that makes you tell yourself: how the hell did I do without it before? Reduces the time for shaving by 3x and shaving gel/foam and after lotion not needed anymore. To be fair, I'm Asian, so I don't have a huge beard to trim/shave. But it definitely speeds up the process.
• MacBook Pro 2016. Despite the infamous keyboard issues (which I encountered but Apple replaced it for free), I'm using it every single day for several hours and it's still going strong, not showing any sign of fatigue.

Honorable mention to Spotify. This app just works, fluidly across all devices, it's a joy to use.

 

[ryanbleau]

Sturdy pocketknife
Solid used SUV( no payments)
A good belt.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

1) Luxe Bidet.

Nothing like a clean rear!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2XZIP2/?tag=tff-amazonparser-20

2) Bose Noise Cancelling Ear Buds (Thanks @JasonR for the recommendation!)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X9KV0HU/?tag=tff-amazonparser-20

3) Audible and Spotify Subscriptions - not sure how I got by without it, love my books while stuck in the car and spotify to find new music.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Another similar thread, the value thread is here.

NOTABLE! - HOT! - EXECUTION - CHAT - What is the BEST "value" you ever paid for?

What is the best "value" you ever paid for? Just curious to hear people's experiences. For me, my foam roller was a great value. It cost around $20 bucks but helps relieve my back and neck of stress and pain. On bad days, rolling on this thing becomes the best $20 bucks I ever spent...

www.thefastlaneforum.com

Some great things listed there that I actually bought (the ear buds).

 

[Ing]

Car, bought new 420000km ago, to earn my money
spotify, to enjoy my drive time
dirt bike, to enjoy my time of life

edith: the working car is 14 years ago, doesn’t count
dirt bike is 5 years, doesn’t count

so, its the trip to Greece
spotify
the 2 two bottles Jameson and Redbreast to enjoy with my wife and my friends

 

[MitchM]

1. Kindle

2. Dual external monitors with stands that I plug my laptop into for work (only paid $80 for each and it really makes me way more productive to be able to research on one side and take notes/create spreadsheets on the other)

3. Probably my 2015 macbook air.

Honorable mention: my redwing boots.

 

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[Lee Ashby]

Ebikes for sure - I have way too many, (side hustle/hobby) but are so much fun.

Work wise - I like my 4 bay synology - makes accessing files, backing up and protecting data really easy and saves time. Plus you can learn more about technology with all its apps and capabilities.

Trips away and dining experiences I think are well worth it - can be done on any budget.

Bonus - 4. Training. on Udemy. for $50 I got some great extensive courses that are simply life changing, and will help me transition into the next phase of my business. That is stepping out from behind the scenes of my partner and I's counselling business, to be a coach / help existing clients further in their lives.

Great question.

 

[MichaelCash]

A macbook, an outdoor grill

 

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[Tommo]

Jack Chi puppy dog, heaps of fun.
Nissan X-Trail car.
Barista training.
Honorable mention to my second hand golf clubs.

 

[MoreVolume]

- Manufacturing equipment upgrade (more units per day)
- Advertising slot on podcast
- Branded collar shirts from Vistaprint (for my employees. improved morale/motivation IMO)

 

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[YoungPadawan]

My German Shepherd pup, Marley.

 

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[Andy Bell]

1. UK contract lawyer on Flippa found a loophole to get me out of the thumb of a contractor that was not performing
2. Patio hanging hammock with mosquito netting - lovereading in this thing
3. Services of 3 new fulltime employees to automate portions of my business