Deciding to move here to Dallas while still keeping my home in Atlanta had the downside of some added costs I have to deal with. Since the whole purpose of keeping a place there is to maintain continuity for my daughter when we get to spend time together, it made no sense to strip the place bare. After all, what good is a home for us to share if it’s empty? Then there’s the issue of transportation. Still have to have to get around when I’m in Atlanta after all.
The unavoidable consequence of leaving my Atlanta home intact is that I’m buying a lot of stuff here in Dallas that most people would normally just bring with them when they move. Big stuff – like a car, furniture, entertainment center electronics and a computer. Also lots of small stuff that adds up – think pots, pans, dishes, etc. It’s a lot like starting out after you graduate college actually, only I’m buying more stuff than a recent college grad would.
What I can’t get over is how luxurious – for lack of a better word – things have gotten in recent years. It’s amazing and I have to admit that as much as I hate having to spend the money I’m really enjoying the results. Most things have gone higher-end while getting cheaper compared to what it was like even a few years ago.
Think about it. Back in 2001-2002 even a modestly sized plasma TV on clearance would have set you back several thousand dollars. Now for less than $2,000 you can get one with solid features that’s more than big enough for an apartment. The bed that I just bought is so damned comfortable that I swear it’s much harder for me to get up in the morning when I’m in Dallas. Granted, I could have gone lower-end with either purchase, but the point I’m trying to make is that the same money a few years ago would have gotten you a lot less. The same thing is true for my new MacBook and my new car, but I’ll post about them some other time.
Just a random observation that’s a consequence of buying a whole bunch of stuff all at once as opposed to spreading things out over a more normal period of time. I don’t think you’d notice it as much that way.
