Modern Simple Living

Personal Finance & Style 2024 Budget & Wardrobe Update Clothes, shoes, tech, and a plan for the years ahead $637 2024 Spent $500 Original Budget $740 2023 Actual $300 Future Annual Target Table of Contents ① Planned Items ② Total Spending ③ Future Considerations ④ Future Budgets ⑤ Jacket Trifecta ⑥ Updates   Section I Planned Items Most of my budget will be allocated towards clothes and shoes. Shoes — $141 → Air Jordan 1 Low (Size 10.5M) — $86 · Purchased → Stan Smith White/Green (Size 10M) — $55 · Purchased Clothes — $216 → Bomber Jacket — $200 · Skip for 2025 → Polo Letterman Navy — $160 · Purchased → Levi Denim Jacket — $36 · Purchased ...

Coffee Weekend Coffee Update Cozy spots in North Texas worth knowing about The Visit Summer Moon — Newest North Texas Location I'm enjoying a nice coffee weekend and recently stopped by the newest Summer Moon location in North Texas. As the weather is getting chillier, I treated myself to a very decent cappuccino, which I'd rate a solid 7 out of 10. It's great to discover a cozy spot like this outside of Deep Ellum.   Also Worth Noting Pax & Beneficia — Plano Another excellent option in the area is Pax & Beneficia, located in Plano near Alma. Both places offer a nice atmosphere for coffee lovers. Quick Comparison The Spots at a Glance Café Location Highlight Rating Summer Moon North Texas (newest location) Cozy atmosphere; solid cappuccino 7 / 10 ...

Vehicles & Ownership 100,000 Miles A milestone on the 2015 Toyota Camry 100k Miles on Clock 12k Miles Added Since 2022 7k Miles / Year Target 170k Mileage Goal Today marks a significant milestone: my 2015 Camry has officially hit 100,000 miles. When I purchased it in 2022 it had 88,000 miles, which means I've added just 12,000 miles over the past 22 months — approximately 600 miles per month. To put that in perspective, I'm driving at about half the rate of the previous owner, who would have needed to cover 1,000 miles per month to reach the 88,000-mile mark over seven years. Period Driver Miles Avg / Month 2015 – 2022 Previous owner 88,000 ~1,000 2022 – Present Current ...

Food & Value Taco Bell Pass Experience: A Month of Tacos 30 days, one taco per day, $10 upfront $10 Pass Cost ~$90 Value Received 30 Days ~$0.33 Per Taco Supreme I decided to give the $10 Taco Bell Pass a try, which allows me to enjoy one taco per day for 30 days. This seemed like a fantastic deal, especially since it includes Taco Supremes for about 33 cents each!   Day 2 Confirmed It Works I had no doubts about its legitimacy since it's through the official app. I enjoyed my second discounted Taco Supreme today, and by Day 4, I'll have already broken even on my investment. Day 23 This Was Such a Good Deal! I must say, I've indulged in quite a few discounted tacos — it's becoming almost ridiculous! With only a week left in the challenge, I'm feeling the effects of my taco-heavy diet. On the bright side, I...

Watch Journal Embracing the Charisma of the Casio A168 An inexpensive gem with charm to spare — but can it replace the Apple Watch? First Impressions Hard to Resist The Casio A168 possesses a unique charisma and charm that captivates once you experience it—this inexpensive gem is hard to resist! I'm currently debating whether to make it my daily driver again.   Update — October 14, 2023 A Few Days In I decided to wear the A168 for several days, and I've come to realize how much I rely on my Apple Watch for quick updates, like checking the weather and accessing other information that typically requires pulling out my iPhone. While the A168 is perfect for at-home use—where I only need to check the date and time—it becomes less practical when I'm outdoors. The functionality of the Apple Watch truly shines in those moments. That said, I'm glad I gave the A168 a shot. While it may have disrupted my three rings and exercise ...

EDC & Gear Growing Affection for the Huntsman Victorinox Why the wood saw changes everything for everyday carry The Case for the Huntsman A Shift in Preference I'm increasingly drawn to the Victorinox Huntsman 4-layer model. Initially, I thought I'd prefer the Deluxe Climber or Tinker, but the added height from the pliers makes that preference debatable. Surprisingly, I'm also enjoying the Champion Plus for everyday carry (EDC); it's even larger than any of my 4-layer models! What's really swaying my preference towards the Huntsman is the inclusion of the wood saw. It makes it an ideal choice for true EDC functionality.   The Collection 4-Layer Models: Have and Want I have most of the common 4-layer options available, with a few gaps and some deliberate passes. Model Status Notes ...