Help me spend $100...

[Robyn]

Okay, don't laugh but I'm having trouble spending $100 here. I have a coupon for $25 off a purchase of $100 or more that expires on Thursday from Colorado Ski & Golf. I don't really have any large purchases that I need to make these days so I'm having trouble thinking of what to spend this on. I don't have spare cash to really go over this amount though. So, I don't need socks or baselayers. I'm set on gloves. I might get a spare clear lens for my Smith Anthems if they have it but those are only $25 and not essential so if someone has an idea that would nix those I'm good with that too. So, anyone have any brilliant ideas on what else I can use this for? I think this is the first time I've ever had trouble finding something to spend money on!

 

[dloveski]

maybe ski wax/tuning for your quiver or your skis and a friends? Or a bundle of hand warmers, sunscreen, lip stuff, glove liners, cat trax, for stocking stuffers for skier friends?

 

[volklgirl]

A new ski or boot bag? Or a really nice new helmet?

 

[Robyn]

Can't use it on services or both pairs of skis would get tuned. Just bought a new Spyder Govy boot backpack that I LOVE so I'm all set there. What are Cat Trax? I have Yak Trax. Hand warmers are generously stuffed in my pockets by a particular parent each year so I have plent of them (and rarely use them myself) although I may get a few toe warmers. My friends would laugh at me if I bought more lip stuff. I probably have 20 chapsticks hanging out through out my purses, car, jackets etc. If they have a good price on a Giro Fuse I *might* do that. See, told you, it's harder than it should be!

 

[num]

Audio/bluetooth for your helmet if you're so inclined? Neck gator? Since I don't know the store, I don't know if they carry em, but maybe sports bras or underwear? Camelbak or other waterbottle/hydration? Wax, iron, scraper or tuning tools? Lunabars or sport beans or some sort of on the lift energy snackage?

Does the special deal apply to giftcards? If so, you could buy one and have pre-set allowance for ski needs in the future.

 

[Gloria]

I am confused, is the $100.00 a gift certificate or cash? If cash, I would save it. I mean why spend 75.00 or more to save 25 if you don't need anything, especially since there is officially 30 days left until spring merch comes out and discounts will be much deeper than 25%. Unless you can find a way to use it to save money Christmas shopping or something, it sounds like a lift ticket down the road to me....

 

[Kano]

Gloria, I was thinking that exact same thing!

And Robyn, I have some Anthems, and when I bought them, I purchased a "handy extra lens in clear" to put in them now and again, well, lemme be the first to say that was a fine waste of money! I have never changed them out. It's pesky. And then there's the "we just don't do night skiing" part of the equation.

On the other hand, I DID add some Smith Phenoms to my goggle quiver last winter -- with the lighter sensor lens. They've been pretty much perfect for the "dark" days, and the dark Zeal pair have become my bright days pair, with the Anthems being for in between times -- or did I put the clear lens in those so they could just be hanging out waiting for a night ski?

Karen in Boise

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Pretty much agreeing with those above. The "spend to save" tactic is riding high this holiday season. You're still out $75, for stuff you might be impulse buying. I'm getting tons of these offers via e-mail and am sighing and hitting the "delete" button......

 

[Jilly]

Cat traks go over the bottom of your ski boots to protect the bottom from debris on the sidewalks or streets as you walk to the lift. At Tremblant they use little pebbles to make walking easier. Does a number on the bottoms of your ski boots.

 

[Skier31]

Maybe one of your kids that you coach or their parents could use the coupon. I had one of those and gave it away to someone at my office who could use it. I have everything I need and the coupon did not go to waste. If you have to think that hard of something to buy, you probably have what you need.

 

[Robyn]

Okay, let me be clear, if I don't come up with something that is worth spending the money I won't but I'm notorious for forgeting things that I want/need and I hoped that getting some ideas from y'all would spur a memory. None of the stuff mentioned are things that I would probably spend the the cash on (I already have tune-ups for my helmet or that would be on the list). I went and wandered through the store for quite awhile tonight without the coupon in hand to see if there were things that grabbed me. Something did that I think is a good value and I think many here will agree. They have teh CW-X tights and I don't think they go on sale often so this is actually a pretty good deal for them. Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

 

[Skier31]

Robyn: Purchase of the tights seems like a great use of the coupon.

 

[skihub]

Cat traks go over the bottom of your ski boots to protect the bottom from debris on the sidewalks or streets as you walk to the lift. At Tremblant they use little pebbles to make walking easier. Does a number on the bottoms of your ski boots.

Ooooohhhh, cool. I need some of those. Thanks for the tip.

 

[MaryLou]

Pretty much agreeing with those above. The "spend to save" tactic is riding high this holiday season. You're still out $75, for stuff you might be impulse buying. I'm getting tons of these offers via e-mail and am sighing and hitting the "delete" button......

I agree. There are 1000s of food pantries that would die for $75. If you can't think of something you NEED, then why spend the $. Some people don't have a job, food, heat or shelter this year, so grasping at straws to spend $ is hard for me to understand. If you need ski gear, makes sense, but if not, time to think of others.

Don't mean to make you feel bad Robyn...I think I'm just in another place at the moment from what I see going around me and the tough times lots of people are going through.

 

[Robyn]

I agree. There are 1000s of food pantries that would die for $75. If you can't think of something you NEED, then why spend the $. Some people don't have a job, food, heat or shelter this year, so grasping at straws to spend $ is hard for me to understand. If you need ski gear, makes sense, but if not, time to think of others.

Don't mean to make you feel bad Robyn...I think I'm just in another place at the moment from what I see going around me and the tough times lots of people are going through.

Well, I responded to the people above saying I wouldn't but there is something that I need and I'd forgotten about. I do give to those in need, even when I can't afford it and I do take offense to the assumption that I don't think of others.

 

[skihub]

I read this thread as a fun way to help each other think of the stuff you want that you never seem to remember until you are on the hill. I learned about cat trax from Jilly and I was tickled. I think Robyn was clear about wanting to use the coupon only if it made sense so I feel bad for her that it got turned into something else.

I live in an area with a high unemployment rate (I am actually laid off at the moment). Everyone is sensitive right now - I get comments about being able to still do ski trips and live as usual (thanks DH). But we do give too..........

It was fun to see everyone's suggestions - good Christmas list for myself. :D

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Cat traks go over the bottom of your ski boots to protect the bottom from debris on the sidewalks or streets as you walk to the lift. At Tremblant they use little pebbles to make walking easier. Does a number on the bottoms of your ski boots.

These things are great, and we've had them for at least 20 years (though not the same ones....they do "give out" after awhile). Hint: thread some kind of "grabbable" wire through the heel piece so they are easier to pull on. (I have left more than a few behind, walked right out of them). DH is a stickler about boot-sole wear and never goes without, even with snow under foot (versus pavement/stones). He keeps a plastic ziplock in his pocket to store them in. I tend to be somewhat more, shall we say, careless? Overall, very inexpensive and useful.

 

[MaryLou]

Well, I responded to the people above saying I wouldn't but there is something that I need and I'd forgotten about. I do give to those in need, even when I can't afford it and I do take offense to the assumption that I don't think of others.

I didn't say/imply you don't think of others or don't give. But you were grasping at straws to spend $100, so I figured I'd mention it. Sorry I didn't read on through all of the thread before I posted, my bad.

 

[Robyn]

I read this thread as a fun way to help each other think of the stuff you want that you never seem to remember until you are on the hill. I learned about cat trax from Jilly and I was tickled. I think Robyn was clear about wanting to use the coupon only if it made sense so I feel bad for her that it got turned into something else.

I live in an area with a high unemployment rate (I am actually laid off at the moment). Everyone is sensitive right now - I get comments about being able to still do ski trips and live as usual (thanks DH). But we do give too..........

It was fun to see everyone's suggestions - good Christmas list for myself. :D

Thank you skihub, you got what I meant and I hope that you are able to find work soon. We went through layoffs this year (I thankfully am safe) and I nearly lost my coaching job so I am painfully aware of job issues. I hadn't planned on using this coupon at all until I learned that I did have my coaching job back this weekend. I am not one to spend needlessly. My skiing expenditures have always been limited to the things that are useful to me and many people here can attest that I am one of the best resistors of the SAC/Tramdock temptation around here. It's a big jump for me to say "Okay, if I can find something I useful, I think I will go ahead and use that coupon." Last year's did not get used.

MaryLou, when you said "it's time to think of others" you did imply that I don't. It sounds like you didn't mean it like it came across though so I'll just leave it at that.

 

[LilaBear]

Robyn, I know you and I know that you are very careful with money, and also that you are very thoughtful and caring of others, and give generously of your time, money and spirit.

For those of you who are affected by the current times, or are close to people who are, I wish you all the best. It's worrying to all of us, and we will all have concerns about the longer term effects, I have never experienced anything like this before. Those of you who are looking for work, I hope you are successful soon.

For me, both skiing and this forum are an escape from the pressures of everyday life, I know we are skiers on differing budgets and we are prioritising the amount of ski time, or ski gear according to our pockets. Please be assured that all of the SkiDivas I have met personally are highly involved in their local communities. If we talk lightly about our activities and gear purchases in a forum where we are able to share our passions, it may appear frivolent, but is not the full picture.

In the meantime, I'm with SkiHub and Robyn. It has been fun to suggest items that you might currently need but had escaped your memory, and if you were going to have to buy the item at some point then it makes sense to be able to take advantage of the money-off coupon. I for one am a huge proponent of the CWX compression tights, and yes they are horribly expensive, so if you are able to get them at a good price that would be a good use of the coupon in my book.