Do you ever buy stuff on a whim because you just HAVE to have it?  How about even after you buy it, you only use it a couple of times a year, but you justify needing it?  For me, it’s gear.  Climbing gear (which I use a lot), camping gear, backpacking gear (don’t use that often), hiking gear, biking gear, snowboarding gear, etc…  The list could go on.  I like gear!  

I like gear so much that I’ll stop in to REI on my way home from work just to see if there is anything on sale in the sale bins.  A lot of times you can find the small stuff for cheap.  This one time, I got an REI laptop case for $5.  How cool is that?  (I know what your thinking, only a gear-oholic would say something like that).  It’s true.  It’s kind of a problem actually.  

How many of you have heard of Steep & Cheap?  It’s a website that must get gear in bulk because they can sell it super cheap.  I’m talking at least 50% off.  It might be last year’s model, or an ugly color, but who cares about that?  Not only is this stuff on sale, but the sale changes every couple of minutes.  This site seriously could be the end of my bank account.  I have to consciously think about not going to it.  Should you have to consciously think about that kind of stuff?  Jeeze-Louise, It’s hard.  

My next downfall will be a store in atlanta called Gear Revival.  This is like a thrift store, but only for outdoors gear.  You can bring in your old gear and trade it in, you can just shop-til-you-drop, or you can just not walk in there.  I’m telling you, if you do, you will walk out having purchased something.  It’s so inexpensive!  

What’s the next step?  If there were meetings, I’d probably think about going.  Until then, REI – Steep&Cheap – Gear Revival, here I come! 

What do you just HAVE to have?  :)