Saturday, August 8, 2009

Changing Credit Cards: What does this have to do with Food?

Very good question, even if I did ask it myself. The reason it is relevant to cooking is that I have reward points on the account and want to use them up before switching cards. I have been collecting the points since I was in university, hence I have a bit of money tied up in points. Now because I consider this free money, I figure I have to do something a little extravagant that I would probably not do if I had to actually spend the money myself. This leads me to the dilemma of what to get and that is where you hopefully come in. I have about 9000 points (but I can top up with a little cash if needed). I have narrowed my choices down to a few items with a brief thought about each one. I would love to hear comments on what you think is the best spend of points. Thanks and I look forward to any feedback.

1. Maytag® Jet Clean Tall Tub Dishwasher: 9800 points, I have no idea if this machine is any good, but I would like to replace my white washer with a stainless to match the rest of the kitchen. Whether this is extravagent I guess depends on your perspective (my wife made me put this one in :)).

2. Weber Genesis EP-310 Black BBQ - Propane: 8000 points, my current BBQ works fine as long as I only use one side, the other side doesn't light. I could probably fix this by taking it apart and cleaning out the tubes, but I probably will never do this. My other dilemma is that I actually don't know why Weber BBQs cost so much comparatively to similar seeming models from competitors. But I am trying to be extravagant.

3. Vermont Castings Deluxe Stainless Steel Smoker: 8000 Points, I have never used a smoker and don't know how often I would, but it does sound extravagant to have your own smoker.

4. Delonghi Magnifica Rapid Capuccino Machine: 7300 points, I am sure I don't need this as I only drink decaf and don't really understand why I would need a machine that costs over $700 to make froth for me, especially when the my french press works so wonderfully. That being said, maybe I should become a latte man and make froth art for the blog (is that hard?).

5. Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xsi with 18-55 IS Lens Kit: 6500 points, this isn't completely about cooking as much as it is about blogging and sharing the food I cook. I am working with a descent point and shoot camera right now which is great for capturing family moments, but we have some challenges capturing food in the right light with the right tones (I would also need to learn how to use it).

6. KitchenAid@ Professional 600TM Series 6 Quart Lift Bowl Stand Mixer: 4500 points, I guess I could make a really nice cake with one of these. I have often thought about getting a mixer, but I just don't do enough baking to justify spending the money. I guess if I am looking for extravagant, having a KitchenAid mixer to use a few times a year fits the bill.

7. Salton 28 Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cellar: 4000 points, I sold my last wine fridge with my previous house as it was built into the kitchen. Also, I am not sure where I would put this, but there is something about having a wine fridge that seems quite snotty and extravagant. The other problem is that I am horrible at cellaring and mostly drink what I buy each week.

8. Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Professional 'S' 6 Piece Knife Block Set: 3100 points. I have Henckel knives, but they are about 10 years old and I got them from Costco as a deal. They work great and I really can't complain, but why do people buy new BMWs and Benzes when a 3 year old Camry is a perfectly good car.

9. $1000 Starbucks Gift Card: 8000 points, okay this one is absurd and would make me quite fat and unhealthy but along with the one below probably helps put the others in perspective.

10. $1000 Gift card to The Bay (department store similar to Sears): 8000 points, this one doesn't seem extravagant at all as I would probably use it for something practical, but it does allow me to open myself up to other options. Hence please feel free to post your own extravagant thoughts here!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just bought the ultimate40 stainless steel cleaner from www.stainlesssteelcleaner.co.uk this will keep your stainless steel appliance in good shape.

lucinda said...

I would go for #10 - buy some cool kitchen gadgets...like a saucier, ceramic knives and bits and bobs that would otherwise seem extravagant!

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