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Dabrador 
Group: Members
Posts: 143
Joined: Jul. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 9:16 am |
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I recently purchased some new gear at REI and as a result, I received a gift card for $20.
Anyone have unique ideas on what I should get with this gift card? What are some of the most practical and useful small items that you have?
The most creative suggestion wins!
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STICK
~Stick~
Group: Members
Posts: 4109
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 9:32 am |
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Esbit tablets and a Platypus bottle.
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Jus' sayin'...
Sticks Blog
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STICK
~Stick~
Group: Members
Posts: 4109
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 9:59 am |
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It is great to have backup Platy's too... You never know when some of this stuff will be gone... and it usually happens about the time you need another one...
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Jus' sayin'...
Sticks Blog
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STICK
~Stick~
Group: Members
Posts: 4109
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 10:00 am |
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Eggs, I have the S2S AL Short spoon and it is great... 
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Jus' sayin'...
Sticks Blog
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| Post Number: 7
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Dabrador
Group: Members
Posts: 143
Joined: Jul. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 10:45 am |
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I had a feeling this would happen. I get a bunch of great suggestions and my $20 purchase ends up being a lot more than that!
That spoon looks like a great idea. All of my meals are in pouches and this would really come in handy.
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| Post Number: 8
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Fatpacking
Group: Members
Posts: 80
Joined: Nov. 2012
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 10:57 am |
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I was thinking of a spoon and platypus too. I got my $20 yesterday and I am ordering some boots today so'll I'll end up with another one as well. I didn't read the fine print, I wonder if they can be combined giving me $40 to use on a larger ticket item. I'd like some hiking pants if I can do that.
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| Post Number: 9
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10508
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 11:48 am |
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$20 for me equals new spoon, extra Mt. House meals, paracord, a cheap balaclava, some new stakes, or some utility biners.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
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Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 12:43 pm |
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They've replaced every strap I've got on the outside of my back to attach items excluding the two I use to lash my snow shovel and snowshoes. I use them at camp to hang my winter lantern, headlamp above my head, dry out my gaiters, hang my boots to keep them out of spindrift range, dry clothing, etc...
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 12
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Dabrador
Group: Members
Posts: 143
Joined: Jul. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 4:10 pm |
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Thanks for the suggestion. Looks like biners are on the list.
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TrailTromper
Group: Members
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Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 5:09 pm |
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I was planning to keep mine and use it along with my dividend, but I see that it is only good from Dec. 12th - Jan. 6th. I guess I will need to use it sooner than I planned.
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| Post Number: 14
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JRinGeorgia
Group: Members
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Joined: Jul. 2012
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 6:59 pm |
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I would wait a bit. Invariably something you need will arise, and you'll have a $20 head-start for it. Sure you can spend it now, and sure you'll get some things that you can justify in your mind, but if you spend it on 1-2 little things now then that gift card value will seem to just vanish.
Whatever you would buy with it today you certainly can buy with it by the expiration date if you haven't spent it by then, but if you still have it around and suddenly need a new puffy coat or need a new pad or whatever that $20 will feel really good. Or, possibly a deal of the day/week will pop up that tickles your fancy and with the sale price +$20 gift card you'll feel really good about getting it for a song.
Ultimately spending $20 is spending $20 no matter how you spend it, I've just found more psychological satisfaction from using gift cards against things that I need. It's hard to resist the urge that the gift card is "burning a hole in your pocket", but if you have to ask others what you should spend it on then you won't spend it on anything you "need", and I think that isn't as satisfying psychologically.
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- JRinGeorgia
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Dabrador
Group: Members
Posts: 143
Joined: Jul. 2009
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 7:15 pm |
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Good feedback. Fundamentally I agree. I'm looking at this gift card differently. There's nothing I "need" at this point. I'd like to use the $20 on something different. That's why I'm looking for some suggestions. For example, the esbit tablets could replace my current fire starter. The long spoon would make my dining less messy.
I'm sure there are other things out there...
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| Post Number: 16
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TDale
Group: Members
Posts: 13150
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 02 2012, 8:20 pm |
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Long spoons are great. I use the $2 plastic ones. Metal spoons will burn your lips.
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"Sure as I know anything, I know this - they will try again...They'll swing back to the belief that they can make people... better. And I do not hold to that. So no more runnin'. I aim to misbehave."
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MikeRegas
Group: Members
Posts: 77
Joined: May 2012
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2012, 11:42 am |
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is this something that comes to REI members or where you given a gift certificate?
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| Post Number: 20
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hikerjer
Group: Members
Posts: 9139
Joined: Apr. 2002
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2012, 11:57 am |
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Whenever I'm in your situation, a gift certificate that doesn't quite cover the cost of stuff I really need or want, but I feel compelled to use it, I often use it on some packages of freeze dried food. I'm not a real fan of freeze dried stuff, but somethines it's nice to have in an emergency or if you're really trying to cut weight on a long trip. Of corse, you could always apply it to the cost of a more expensive item that you'd like or want.
JMO.
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"Too often I have met men who speak only of how many miles they've traveled and not of what they've seen." - Louis L'Amour
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10508
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2012, 2:21 pm |
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(Dabrador @ Dec. 03 2012, 10:39 am)
QUOTE
(TDale @ Dec. 02 2012, 8:20 pm)
QUOTE Long spoons are great. I use the $2 plastic ones. Metal spoons will burn your lips. Why would the metal spoon burn my lips?
If you cook your soup by using a lighter under each spoonful and cook on the fly.
Seriously though, I did have an issue when I bought one of those sweet looking Ti Cups that were all shiny. I would make my coffee, pour it in the cup and then sit there and wait for the cup to cool enough for me to drink it. Usually, that was about the time the warmth of the liquid inside had wicked out through the metal enough to make it slushy with ice.
I have one of those long Ti handled spoons. One of my hiking buddies got it for me. One of the best things I've ever gotten strangely. I enjoy the heck out of that thing and can't imagine eating Mt. House meals without it ever again.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 24
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CampinCarl
Group: Members
Posts: 248
Joined: May 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2012, 2:40 pm |
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Here are a couple of ideas that I have blown small amounts on in the past:
REI Sport Wrap
I've used them instead of stuff sacks for my sleeping pad and tent
nite ize rope tightener
These little tighteners are sweet for cinching down ropes.
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"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike." - John Muir
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OldGuyWalkin
Group: Members
Posts: 158
Joined: Nov. 2012
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2012, 3:06 pm |
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I can blow $20 on repair items. Buckles, straps, grommets.
And coffee.
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| Post Number: 26
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DustinTN
Group: Members
Posts: 33
Joined: Apr. 2012
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Posted on: Dec. 03 2012, 4:37 pm |
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I have one of these and use it almost daily. Truly a multi-use item both at camp and in the "real world." I find scissors to be much more useful than pliers most of the time.
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| Post Number: 27
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| Post Number: 29
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10508
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Dec. 04 2012, 1:18 am |
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(Dabrador @ Dec. 03 2012, 4:09 pm)
QUOTE
(CampinCarl @ Dec. 03 2012, 2:40 pm)
QUOTE Here are a couple of ideas that I have blown small amounts on in the past: REI Sport WrapI've used them instead of stuff sacks for my sleeping pad and tent nite ize rope tightenerThese little tighteners are sweet for cinching down ropes. These are both great ideas! The rope tightener...can these replace the sliders on tent guylines?
I've replaced all my sliders with them. That, and I use the reflective guylines so I don't kill myself anymore.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 30
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LordTemplar
LordTemplar
Group: Members
Posts: 99
Joined: Mar. 2010
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Posted on: Dec. 04 2012, 7:51 am |
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I suggest the GSI Coffee Grinder. Sounds weird, but is quite good and allows you to make a good cup of coffee in the morning.
I suggest a shot of Jamesons as well, LOL.
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"Break On Through To The Other Side"--Jim Morrison
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
