Hacker News Reader

Comment by ejb999 | Hacker News Reader

>>His 20 year experience was that the more expensive the kitchen, the less it is used.

My builder told me the same thing - the people that spend the most on kitchens, are those that use them the least.

I once took part in a certain competitive sport in which it was possible to decorate oneself with all manner of expensive clothing and electronic gear. Without fail, the "tourists" bought thousands of dollars worth of optional new gear before they'd begun, while the two people who I was close to who became world-class competitors had minimal second-hand gear.

Road biking? :D

"People with more money than time buy $3,000 road racing bicycles with ultralight carbon frames to shave two pounds off the bike, regardless of the fact that they themselves are probably at least 10 pounds overweight."

From Chapter 2 of Early Retirement Extreme by Jacob Fisker

The equivalent 2022 price for a top end road bike is closer to $15k. Just the bike.

As somebody with $10k road bike - it’s way easier for me to make additional $10k (even after taxes) than loose 10 pounds. Also expensive road bicycle is just nicer to ride regardless of weight. Frame is stiffer, electronic gear shifting is more reliable, etc.

$2K electric powertrain would give you even better returns.

I love my electronic shifters. I certainly don’t need them, but they never need adjusting. I just hope I never forget to charge them and have to ride home on a fixed (or manually adjusted) gear.

My sister spent $350K USD on a kitchen remodel that included a crazy expensive La Cornue Château stove, yet she doesn't know how to cook. When I visited her many months after the work was done she showed me the stove but wasn't sure how to turn it on. Her goal was to get her kitchen into an interior design magazine, which she accomplished.

She's a constant source of embarrassment, but also entertainment, for the rest of the family.

> She's a constant source of embarrassment, but also entertainment, for the rest of the family.

For remodeling her kitchen?

For spending money ostentatiously, making sure everyone knows how much she spent, and not understanding when they won't or can't do the same.

Perhaps it is that those who spend the most have the most money and spend more time out at restaurants or work too much to go home and cook.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com