Modern Simple Living

Gear Review Building My Sneaker Collection A journey toward curating the perfect rotation of classic basics. ~3 Years Timeline $500 Budget 8 Total Pairs Table of Contents ① Basic Sneaker Selection ② Collection Timeline and Budget ③ Update: 7/4/2020 - Air Force 1 - OG White - Winner ④ Update 2021 - Upping the Sneaker Game Section I Basic Sneaker Selection There are so many options and choices in sneakers, and I want to build a simple collection of all the great basics. Here’s what I’m considering for the initial lineup:   → Converse — Chuck Taylor - All Stars White/Red Stripe → Adidas — Superstar - White/Black Stripes → Nike Cortez — White/Red Logo → Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 — White/Red/Blue → Nike Air Force 1 Low Cut — All White → Puma Suede — Black/White Stripe Color Distribution and Future Planning I’m aiming for five white sneakers and one black shoe for the basics. However, I may reduce this count to three white and one black to simplify my collection. Additional colo...

Gear Review Transitioning to Verizon Prepaid A budget-conscious guide to cutting your monthly mobile expenses ~2 Lines ~$60 Monthly Savings 480p Video Resolution Section I Switching Services For over two years, I was on a Verizon Postpaid family plan, paying about $140 per month (approximately $153 including tax) for two lines with unlimited data. However, I recently reassessed my needs and made the switch to Verizon Prepaid.   New Plan Details This transition has led to a monthly savings of roughly $60, which is quite significant. → Monthly Cost — ~$90 for two lines (about $93 including tax) → Line 1 — 16GB of data → Line 2 — Unlimited data Section II Limitations of Prepaid While the savings are great, there are three specific limitations to keep in mind regarding this plan: → Video Quality — Video streams at a lower 480p resolution. → Data Usage During Calls — I cannot use data while on the phone, which can be a slight inconvenience if I need to search the web during a ca...

Gear Review Upgrading from iPhone 6s A multi-year journey to finding the perfect replacement ~4 Years of Ownership 4 Options Considered ~$300 Final Price Section I The Upgrade Decision After owning my iPhone 6s since 2016, I've decided it’s time to upgrade due to deteriorating battery life and the impending release of iOS 14. I've evaluated several options:   Options Considered → iPhone XR — A device with a large battery and 6.1" screen. → iPhone SE (2nd generation) — A compact choice featuring Touch ID and the A13 chip. → iPhone 11 — The balanced option with a large battery, 6.1" screen, and a dual-camera system. → iPhone 12 — The latest flagship contender during the evaluation period. Context and Research ### Battery Replacement In February 2020, I replaced the battery on my 6s to extend its lifespan and have been using it as a backup phone. The new battery made a significant difference, allowing the phone to last a full day instead of requiring constant recha...