I’m not a big spender. I don’t chase the newest gadgets, I’m not a brand-name guy, and I don’t have a closet full of expensive toys. Case in point: my “new” smartwatch is two generations old, and I paid a grand total of $100 for it. It already does everything I need—like timing the flag football games I officiated today.
So when I think about the most expensive personal item I’ve ever bought—something that wasn’t a house or a car—it isn’t a luxury watch or a high-end computer.
It’s my Traeger grill.
Years ago, we were walking through Costco when the sales rep mentioned he had one floor model left. The boxed version was going for $1,000, but he offered the demo for $800. No packaging, no extra bells or whistles—just the grill itself.
At the time, $800 felt huge. I remember standing there thinking, “Am I really about to spend that much money… to cook food?” But I said yes—and I’ve never regretted it.
Since then, that grill has smoked, roasted, and grilled hundreds of meals: ribs, brisket, pork shoulders, pizzas, veggies, and the best Thanksgiving turkeys you’ve ever tasted. It has no app, no Wi-Fi, no touchscreen. It just works. And it still works perfectly.
Funny thing? You can buy a newer model today for under $700 on Amazon—with all the high-tech features mine doesn’t have—but mine is still going strong. In a couple of weeks, when Lizzi comes home for Thanksgiving, we’ll fire it up again and let that turkey take its long, smoky bath the day before.
Sometimes the most valuable thing you buy isn’t the newest or the fanciest.
It’s the one that keeps showing up—and keeps earning its place.
Copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
