Modern Simple Living

Travel Epic Road Trip: Los Angeles to Dallas 3 days, 2 nights, and ~1,500 miles across the American Southwest 1,500 Miles Driven 3 Days 5 States $400 Cash on Hand Table of Contents ① Overview ② Day 1: LA to Phoenix ③ Day 2: Phoenix to Amarillo ④ Day 3: Amarillo to Dallas ⑤ Packing List ⑥ Closing Thoughts ⑦ Picture Book Highlights The Journey Overview I recently embarked on a thrilling 3-day, 2-night road trip from Los Angeles, California, to Dallas, Texas, covering approximately 1,500 miles. The route choice was a mix between I-10/20 and I-40; ultimately, I went with I-10 to Phoenix, then cut over to I-40 through Albuquerque. Important Reminder: Always check the weather! I ran into storm clouds over New Mexico and Texas, resulting in some harrowing moments on the road.  D...

Gear Review Spring Cleaning: Selling Unused Items *Decluttering my space and recalibrating my spending habits* ~2,000 Total Cash 12 Items Sold 60% Value Recovery Table of Contents ① Overview ② Items for Sale ③ Financial Summary ④ Updates ⑤ Final Thoughts Section I Overview I'm in the process of de cluttering my space and making room for things I truly value. I've identified several items that I seldom use anymore, and I've listed them for sale. While selling electronics often means taking a hit on their original purchase price, it’s a step towards better financial management.   Section II Items for Sale Here’s a breakdown of what I’m letting go of and their respective prices: → Victorinox INOX watch — $300 → Swatch — $400 → Timex — $170 → Tiffany Ring — $250 → Tiffany Bracelet — $200 → iPad (2018) — $150 → GoPro 5 — $150 → Switch Lite — $125 → PS4 — $175 → Fire HD8 — $25 → Sansa Clip — $40 → Anker Speaker — $15 Section III Financial Summary Total Cash from ...

Gear Review Watch Experimentation: Finding the Perfect Strap Discovering why a simple change in hardware can redefine your daily rotation. 19mm Lug Width 20mm Strap Used $99 Price Point 4 Brands Featured Section I Finding the Perfect Strap It’s incredible how a simple strap change can transform the look and feel of a watch. I’ve been on a journey with my Zenith, trying out various combinations, and nothing quite felt right. Here’s what I experienced: → Leather — Too dressy for everyday wear. → NATO — A bit too casual. → All Metal — This isn’t a sports watch vibe. The Hirsch Strap Surprise I never considered the Hirsch strap since it's designed for a 20mm lug width, while my Zenith is 19mm. To my surprise, it fits—barely! This unexpected combination has turned out to be a fantastic choice. ### The Result I’m really enjoying this new setup. It strikes a balance between semi-formal and semi-casual, making it ideal for daily wear. This experience has reinforced the importance of...

Gear Review Watch Collections Update: 2022 Review A year of streamlining, upgrading, and balancing quartz versus mechanical. 6 Current Watches 7-8 Target Capacity ~2022 Year of Focus Table of Contents ① Current Collection ② Culling and Strategy ③ Milestone Updates Section I Current Collection As of 2022, I've streamlined my watch collection down to six pieces, with plans to add a few more. Here’s what I have:   → Rolex Explorer 114270 — A classic staple in the collection. → Omega Seamaster 2531.80 — A reliable automatic diver. → Zenith Cal 126 — A vintage piece currently being considered for sale. → Seiko SKX781 — The 1st Gen Orange Monster, a rare and collectible diver. → Casio G-Shock DW5600 — The ultimate durable daily driver. → Casio A168 — A classic, lightweight digital companion. Future & Recent Additions I’m excited about my acquisitions throughout the year: → Omega x Swatch (Mars) — Acquired November 2022. → Apple Watch SE 2 (44mm) — Ordered September 2022. →...