What was the very first BIG purchase you ever made...

[Disney Doll]

My first car when I was 22.

 

[Towncrier]

As a very young child, the first thing that I saved my pennies for was a Tot 50 stapler. It cost a dollar and it took me forever to save for it.

When I was a little older, I saved for and purchased my first pair of roller skates. The kind with the key that you attached to your shoes. I remember that they had ball bearings in the wheels and I could really fly on those things.

And I remember saving money from my paper route to buy my very first 10 speed racing bicycle. I lived on my bike from the time that I learned to ride until I learned to drive. That bike cost me $80 from Sears and I kept it until I needed money for car insurance.

In high school, I scrimped and saved to buy myself a real stereo. A Sherwood S7100 receiver and a Garrard Zero-100 turntable. I didn't have enough money for speakers, so I also bought a pair of Koss Pro4A headphones. I also purchased a Westinghouse reel-to-reel recorder so I could record radio programs. I wanted a Teac recoder, but didn't have the money.

In college, I managed to save up enough money to finally buy some speakers for my stereo. When I graduated from school, I ended up giving my parents the stereo system which they used for many years. Ironically, they just returned it to me this past weekend. I now have a teenage son who is about the age that I was when I first purchased most of that stereo.

I bought my first wheels in college. A $1200 Kawasaki KZ400 motorcycle. It served me well up until I graduated. At that time I bought my first car from my girlfriend's dad. A 1963 Plymouth Fury. I think I spent $40, so that doesn't count as a big purchase.

My first "real" car cost me $7000 and was a 1979 AMC Spirit with a 5 liter V-8 engine and a 5-speed manual transmission.

So you see, I had several "first" big purchases in my life. Right up until the time I had kids, I was spending all sorts of money on first computers, first big screen televisions, first home theater system, and the like. Then we had two kids. Now I am dreading spending some REAL money on college in a couple of years.

Life was so much simpler when all I wanted was a Tot 50 stapler.

 

[MinnieM21]

Originally posted by ~*Belle 2003*~
That was nice of you.

Awww thanks.

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Originally posted by Towncrier
a Garrard Zero-100 turntable. I didn't have enough money for speakers, so I also bought a pair of Koss Pro4A headphones. I also purchased a Westinghouse reel-to-reel recorder so I could record radio programs.

Life was so much simpler when all I wanted was a Tot 50 stapler.

I had a Garrard turntable for my 21st birthday from my parents - can't for the life of me remember the number though.

I remember taping music for a party on a friend's reel-to-reel recorder. That seems like an eternity ago now but thanks for the memories!

What exactly is a Tot 50 stapler?

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Anyone else remember their first big purchase?

 

[GarrettJD]

My clarinet. A top of the line Buffet R-13 professional level horn. Cost close to $2000.

Nikkie's was her first car-- a used Nissan Altima for $7000.

Our first together was our first trip to WDW in 2003.

 

[KristiKelly]

A car 1993 Nissan Altima.

 

[goofygirl]

My stereo when I was in high school, it still plays great!

Followed by my queen boxspring and mattress during the college years. It was great dumping my single bed for a more "grown up" bed!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

A 1993 Nissan Sentra. It was brand new. It's the only "brand new" car I have ever bought. I was 16, had a job at Winn Dixie, and saved every week. It was in my Mom's name of course, but I paid those payment faithfully every month.

 

[JayBee]

I graduated from College in August. Bought a Toyota Station wagon(this was eons ago when Toyota made station wagons ) in Oct........it was a yucky chartreause-gold color.

 

[syncer55]

A $5000 used car right after college. Considering that was 5 years ago.

 

[NHAnn]

A car, after my feshman year in college.....a used VW Beetle....I LOVED that car....wish I still had it...alas my ex-h wrecked it about 8 years later

Off topic....snoopy: I am SO enjoying your pics in your signature...what a beautiful family you 4 are

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by missypie
I'll tell you a little story so we can all appeciate how times have changed. It was Christmas 1954

Fastforward a few years to 1967 (a mere 13 years later). I was working for Texas Instruments ,and had a little money transferred into the credit union each payday.

When I went to make a withdrawal I was told that I needed my husband's signature to make a withdrawal (of money that had come solely from my paycheck). Fortunately for me I was single so I was able to get my money, but my married co-workers couldn't make a withdrawal of their own money without their husband's written approval.

I'm not sure when Texas FINALLY changed that law.

 

[Blueberry]

I bought a car for $2900

 

[Towncrier]

What exactly is a Tot 50 stapler?

A miniature stapler that sold for under a dollar back in the late 1950's.
<img src=http://www.jayceland.com/WebSale/images/Tot50.big.gif></img>

 

[Jimbo]

My first big purchase was a brand spanking new Fiat sports car back when I was 24. It taught me a valuable lesson, which was "don't ever buy another Italian car."

 

[Chicago526]

A brand new (at the time) '98 Saturn SL2. I still drive it! $15,500, plus interest and it took 5 years to pay off. I was 21 going on 22.

My second big purchase was my condo in 2001.

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Originally posted by Towncrier
A miniature stapler that sold for under a dollar back in the late 1950's.
<img src=http://www.jayceland.com/WebSale/images/Tot50.big.gif></img>

Thanks John.