#40: My Top 5 Favorite Purchases in 2023 That Are SO Worth It

December 01, 2023 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, I thought about past purchases that I don’t even use anymore and purchases that I’m glad I spent money on because it was worth it to me. 

In this post, I’m going to share the top 5 purchases I made this year and would gladly spend the money again for! 

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Purchase #1: AirPod Pros

Going to start off with an easy one. If you know, you know..

I’m an Apple kinda guy, but I don’t purchase every new iPhone that comes out. I just prefer using the Mac OS and how everything just works smoothly. Apple offers a great user experience. Once I open the pod case, it just automatically connects like magic.

When they first came out, the AirPod Pros were revolutionary. Its noise cancellation feature is amazing for the size and its charging pod allows me to use my AirPods for a week without charging. 

I lost my AirPod Pros on the plane this year when it fell out of my shorts as I was getting up (I think this is what happened). I was very upset and I tried to live without them for 2 weeks until I just caved and bought new ones. I had the Gen 1 so the new ones I purchased were Gen 2. The noise canceling was even better.

I already have the noise canceling Sony headphones which are slightly better for noise canceling, but I prefer to use the AirPod Pros for everyday use. It’s just easier to carry and better for calls. 

I only use my Sony headphones if I’m deep into work or on a flight. I can’t use the headphones on Teams or Zoom for some reason because the mic just picks up EVERYTHING and shuts off audio when I try to talk. I haven’t found a solution so I stick to my AirPods for work calls.

If you don’t have AirPods but have an iPhone and use headphones or earbuds regularly, I strongly recommend you get a pair of AirPod Pros. 

Even the regular AirPod, which doesn’t have noise cancellation capability, would be worth it, but the noise cancellation function is worth paying a bit more for in my opinion.

Purchase #2: USB-C Hub

I hate how Apple doesn’t provide more ports on their MacBooks. 

For several years, Apple removed the traditional USB, memory card, and HDMI ports. Apple only just reintroduced them back in the new MacBook Pros. 

Being the “frugal” person I am, I only have the MacBook Air. I would rather save the $500 premium and buy a USB-C hub that I can connect to my MacBook Air to get those additional ports.

I bought this Anker USB-C hub recently AGAIN (I left the same one in storage - rookie mistake) because I wanted to connect my laptop to a monitor and my wireless keyboard and mouse. 

It just makes life easier for a MacBook user. If you have a normal laptop, you probably don’t have this problem, but I would rather go through this problem than use a Windows laptop still.

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Purchase #3: Global Entry

So I didn’t actually pay for this one. One of the benefits that come with a premium travel credit card like Chase Sapphire Reserve is that the $100 fee for Global Entry is reimbursed automatically. You can use this benefit every 4 years. Global Entry is good for 5 years.

So why is this worth it? 

With Global Entry, you get Global Entry (duh) but you also get TSA PreCheck with it! TSA PreCheck by itself is $78 and it doesn’t include Global Entry. 

For TSA PreCheck, I don’t have to wait in the regular screening line. I fly once a month so that’s about 24 visits to the airport roundtrip. The vast majority of the time, especially in major airports, the regular line is LONG. 

I save several hours of my time a year not waiting in a line. I rather use that time to get food or use the Priority Pass that comes with my Sapphire Reserve card to get free food and drinks.

The best is when I fly back into the US and I don’t have to wait in the immigration line. Even for US citizens, the line can be packed! 

I kid you not, it takes less than a minute to get my face scanned and a receipt printed out to get out of the international gate terminal. I can feel the jealous eyes staring at me when I’m one of a handful of passengers who go through Global Entry kiosks and be done while the hundreds of people on line haven’t even moved. It’s really THAT good.

Global Entry is good for 5 years and it was time for my renewal and I just got it renewed this week so it’s good until 2029. 

Purchase #4: Large Monitor

For two years, I used two dual 27 inch monitors. It works great but then I bought this ultrawide LG monitor for my fiance and after using it, I want to change my desk setup! 

I recently picked up gaming again. I started playing Counter Strike and now Battlefield I and V. You can add me on Steam (Pin3Appl3). I plugged my gaming laptop on the ultrawide and WOW! Totally different gaming experience. 

I used the monitor for some social media stuff too and I prefer using ONE ultrawide monitor vs TWO monitors.

Now, I plan to sell my two monitors and buy an ultrawide monitor when we move. 

Purchase #5: Supplements

This year, I invested more into my health. Here are some of the health supplements I take almost daily:

  • Greens Powder - for micronutrients 

  • Glucosamine - joint health (I injured my elbow joint and a tendon on my hand from lifting too much)

  • Collagen Protein - staying away from dairy and promotes better skin

  • ZMA - better sleep (wildly vivid dreams) and promotes muscle recovery 

  • L-Theanine - helps reduce stress and anxiety

For the cost of these, it’s a small price to pay for better health. I found that these helped me in their specific ways. You might not need these, but I’m sure there are areas you want to improve on. 

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